Renee Sanchez, a grandmother from Phoenix, was ready to have a fun day at the zoo with her 20-month-old granddaughter. After putting her granddaughter in the car seat, she closed the car door and went to sit in the driver’s seat.
However, as she approached the front door, she was faced with a significant issue.
She informed AZFamily that her car was completely unresponsive. Despite her attempts to unlock it using both her phone key and card key, she was unable to gain access to the vehicle.
Sanchez found herself in a situation where she was unable to get back into her vehicle, while her granddaughter was securely fastened in her car seat. With no other choice available, she had to make an emergency call to 911.
“Upon their arrival, their initial reaction was, ‘Oh no, it’s a Tesla. We won’t be able to enter these vehicles,’” she recounted. “Without hesitation, I declared, ‘Even if it means splitting my car in two, please ensure her safe exit.’”
According to Sanchez, her granddaughter seemed fine at the beginning of the incident. However, when the firefighters came and started using an axe to break the window of the Tesla, the little girl started crying.
As soon as the 20-month-old child found refuge in her grandmother’s embrace, Sanchez felt the anger slowly dissipating within her.
Her car’s 12-volt battery unexpectedly died, leaving her stranded. Normally, drivers are supposed to receive three warnings before their batteries die, but for some unknown reason, Sanchez did not receive any. The Tesla service department verified that no warnings were sent to her vehicle.
Sanchez now aims to provide proper training to first responders on how to effectively deal with electric vehicles that are no longer functioning.
They were equally unaware of what was going on, just like me.
Even after the scary experience, Sanchez still supports Tesla, but she is now more careful.
Sanchez praised Tesla, acknowledging its impressive performance when it functions properly. However, he also highlighted the potential danger it poses when it malfunctions.
