A pregnant woman travelling in the passenger seat of a Tesla was seriously injured when a rock smashed through the vehicle’s windshield last weekend, according to authorities.
The incident occurred at the intersection of Nanaimo Street and East 27th Avenue at around 8:45 p.m. Sunday, the Vancouver Police Department said in a news release.
“The two-pound rock smashed through the windshield and struck the woman before ending up on the floorboard of the vehicle. The passenger sustained a serious, but non-life-threatening injury, and is recovering,” the statement said.
“Police don’t yet know where the rock came from or what caused it to strike the vehicle.”
Spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison said police are working to determine whether a crime occurred, including looking into the possibility the vehicle was targeted.
“This very serious incident could easily have resulted in someone’s death, but for a few inches,” he said, in the news release.
Last week, the VPD said it would be ramping up its presence at protests at Tesla dealerships due to an uptick in reports of incidents that “appear politically motivated.”
Amid a trade war, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been a close advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump and a cheerleader for Trump’s threats to annex Canada.
VPD investigators said they have linked nine reports of mischief targeting personal Tesla vehicles with opposition to U.S. government policy since Trump was inaugurated.
“These incidents include rocks and liquid being thrown at cars, wipers being damaged, and racist symbols being written on vehicles,” the VPD said in its statement last week.
Anyone who witnessed the March 30 incident or who has information is urged to call 604-717-4021.
