A distressing incident on Route 66 in Flagstaff highlights an alarming trend of vehicular assaults tied to the ownership of Tesla vehicles. Susan, a 61-year-old from Arizona, experienced a violent attack on March 18, motivated, she believes, by her choice of vehicle—a Tesla.
According to the Daily Mail, Susan claims the aggression stemmed from her decision to drive a Tesla, associating the assault with negative sentiments towards the brand's connection to entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The clash began when a green sedan aggressively pursued and maneuvered in front of Susan's car, effectively trapping her on the busy highway. This sudden confinement marked the start of a terrifying ordeal for the Tesla owner.
Following the aggressive maneuver, the male driver of the green sedan exited his vehicle and approached Susan aggressively. While she was still seated, he began to assault her physically, delivering blows with a closed fist as she sat behind the wheel.
Susan recounted the harrowing moment, "I started to say, You cut me off, what's your problem, but I didn't know how much he heard me. He got out and started to punch me with a closed fist." The situation escalated quickly as Susan found herself defending against a sudden and unwarranted attack.
In self-defense, Susan managed to bite the attacker’s hand, a desperate measure to fend off the assault. It was only after a passenger in the green sedan intervened that the attack ceased, and the aggressors left the scene.
A witness recorded the violent encounter, capturing crucial evidence of the assault. After the incident, police swiftly took action, citing the driver of the green car and scheduling a court hearing. However, officials have not specified the exact date of the court appearance.
The recorded video played a key role in the legal response to the attack, confirming Susan's account and providing authorities with clear evidence to act. Susan expressed shock and dismay at the event, emphasizing that she never intended her vehicle purchase as a political statement.
Often purchasing a Tesla for its performance and environmental benefits, owners like Susan find themselves unexpectedly entangled in political and social debates, merely due to the company's prominent CEO, Elon Musk.
Regrettably, this incident is not isolated. Across the United States, there has been a notable rise in hostile actions against Tesla property and its owners. Another notable incident occurred just days after Susan's assault, in Wichita, Kansas.
In Wichita, the Tesla owned by Abigail Gill suffered significant vandalism while she was dining out. The damage to her vehicle is estimated to be up to $10,000. Gill voiced her frustrations, noting, "Damaging a personal vehicle does not affect Elon Musk. It's not damaging who you're thinking it is."
Gill's commentary highlights a misdirected anger toward Tesla owners that seems to stem from broader tensions and misconceptions about the brand and its associations. This pattern of targeted violence has notably increased since notable political changes and Elon Musk's involvement in governmental advisory roles.
Susan and Gill's experiences reflect a disturbing trend where personal property becomes a canvas for expressing political and social dissatisfaction. Susan remarked on the broader implications of her assault, "My politics have nothing to do with that. I'm ashamed of our society and what they are doing."
Many echo this sentiment, believing that their personal choices, especially regarding sustainable and innovative technologies like those Tesla offers, should not make them targets of violence. Meanwhile, the community urges leaders and law enforcement to address this growing issue proactively.
The stress and trauma endured by victims like Susan and Gill underline the need for a collective reevaluation of how we express dissent and disagreement in a society increasingly divided by technology, politics, and environmental concerns.
