Brand-New Tesla Model Y Is Probably Totaled As Honda Civic Double-Hits and Spins

This is exactly what happened recently to a Tesla Model Y owner who had just taken delivery of the electric compact crossover utility vehicle mere days before the crash that might have left the EV an insurance write-off.

According to the details shared by the Wham Baam Teslacam YouTube channel inside its latest compilation (which also includes other incidents from the 1:50 mark), the Model Y was being driven down the center lane of a three-lane freeway somewhere in San Francisco, California. The driver was doing around 70 mph (113 kph) when an equally compact Honda Civic came up from behind on the fast lane.

The initial impact occurred on the rear left side of the Model Y (front right side for the Civic), and the two vehicles locked and spun together before the Honda broke off, hit the center divider... and hit the Model Y once more.

This time around, the SUV took the impact on the right side towards the front wheel/right passenger door and again spun out of control before the driver managed to safely pull out of traffic.

Thanks to Tesla’s array of cameras, we’re being presented with the incident from all angles, which also leads to the comment on the Model Y’s inherent safety traits. It’s all due to the heavy battery pack that’s placed low down to achieve a sporty center of gravity, and the added heft of the CUV made it a lot less prone to being uncontrollable for a long period of time.

As for the Civic, things are quite different because the compact car is probably around half the weight of the 4,416-lb (2,003-kg) Tesla Model Y electric compact SUV. Of course, there’s another small detail that led to the outcome – the Honda Civic driver was driving under the influence and ended up being taken in custody of the Police following the incident.