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Updated: Coquitlam RCMP seek footage of fiery crash on Lougheed Highway

Man driving a Tesla Model X dies at the scene, investigation is continuing

A man driving a Tesla Model X died when his car hit a traffic light standard on Lougheed Highway near Alderson Avenue in Coquitlam and burst into flames.

Now the RCMP is asking for witnesses and dash cam video footage of the incident that occurred approximately 1 a.m. Monday, March 18.

Anyone who was driving on Lougheed Highway just before 1 a.m. this morning and saw a black Tesla Model X driving westbound is asked to call Coquitlam RCMP, stated Cpl. Michael McLaughlin in a press release.

We are particularly interested in dash cam video. We are also aware of people who were using cell phone cameras in the immediate aftermath of the crash. We’re asking those people to share that video with us instead of posting it to social media.

Police hope more information will help determine the exact cause of the crash.

“This is obviously a major investigation,” McLaughlin told The Tri-City News.

The investigation into the cause of the crash has just started but speed is a strong consideration as a contributing factor. The driver of the Tesla was the only occupant of the vehicle and due to Privacy Act considerations, the name of the driver will not be released, police say.

It is believed the driver was attempting to turn onto Alderson Avenue from Lougheed when the accident occurred.

Westbound traffic on Lougheed Highway was closed until just before 8 a.m. while police conducted their investigation.

Among the issues the police are investigating include whether another vehicle was involved, a possible malfunction or driving behavior.

“We need to determine that to see if there should be any charges and second to prevent collisions in the future.”

Coquitlam RCMP’s Criminal Crash Investigation Team and Integrated Collision Reconstruction Section are working to determine the exact cause of the accident.

It was a caller who heard the accident and saw the flames who made the call to emergency services, according to Coquitlam Fire Chief Jim Ogloff.

“When we got there, the vehicle was already on fire,” said Ogloff, who said crews from the Austin and Mariner stations responded.

They quickly doused the flames with foam.

The accident was so severe that it knocked a street sign down, an RCMP photo shows, and McLaughlin said there may have to be repairs to the street because the curb was damaged in the incident.