We start today with a tragedy. According to a news report in The New York Post, "Angela Chao, the billionaire former CEO of dry bulk shipping giant Foremost Group, tragically died at the age of 50 on Feb. 10 after accidentally backing her car into the pond while making a three-point turn." If that name does not ring a bell, note that Angela Chao’s sister, Elaine Chao, is married to Senator Mitch McConnell and served as Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush and Secretary of Transportation in President Donald Trump’s administration. Mitch recently retired as Minority Leader (R) in the US Senate.
Angela Chao was hosting some friends on a ranch in Texas and wanted to return to the main ranchhouse at the end of the evening. As it was cool, she decided to drive her Tesla rather than walk the four minutes from the guest houses to the main house. At some point along the way, she backed her car into a pond where the car sank.
The tragedy is multiplied by the design of the Tesla. Rather than mechanical door handles, the main doors are opened electronically with a button. Obviously, this is not a great design for an electric car sinking in a pond (loss of power). There is an emergency mechanical door latch, but from the descriptions, it seems that it is hard to find, especially when sinking into a pond. Chao was trapped inside the sinking car, unable to get out. She had enough air in the car to be able to use her cell phone to call friends, but no one was able to help in time.
Many of the prior deaths in Tesla accidents have involved fire, but this is the first to involve water.
Condolences to the Chao family.
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