Federal authorities are launching an investigation following a tragic incident in which a Tesla Cybertruck crashed and ignited, resulting in the death of the driver. This marks the first known fatality involving Tesla's unconventional electric pickup truck. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has stated that they will be closely examining the deadly crash, which occurred in the early hours of Monday morning in the greater Houston area.

The Texas Department of Public Safety responded to reports of the crash near the Grand Parkway in the early hours of Monday morning. Preliminary investigations suggest that the Cybertruck veered off the road around 1:45 a.m. and collided with a culvert, leading to the vehicle being engulfed in flames. Tragically, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Due to the severity of the fire, the driver's identification was initially hampered by burns, and even the vehicle identification number (VIN) was obscured, posing challenges for investigators in identifying the driver and the specific Cybertruck involved.

Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the crash or why the driver lost control of the vehicle. Gizmodo has reached out to local authorities for further information, but as of now, the circumstances leading to the accident remain unclear. The NHTSA's involvement in the investigation, as reported by Reuters, highlights the significance of this incident for both Tesla and the overall safety of electric vehicles on the road.

Tesla's Cybertruck, a unique vehicle resembling a combination of a Hummer and a trash can, has gained attention since its announcement in 2019. The official deliveries of these electric pickups to customers only began last November, and sightings of them on American roads have been relatively rare, although California, in particular, has seen several of them.

However, the Cybertruck has faced its fair share of concerns and recalls. According to Reuters, Tesla has issued four separate recalls for the 2024 Cybertruck model. Just a few weeks ago, over 11,000 vehicles were recalled due to electrical issues with the large windshield wipers featured on the truck.

In an unrelated matter, Tesla CEO Elon Musk's social media site, X, has recently faced legal challenges, with Musk accused of spreading misinformation in multiple countries. His Super PAC is also under scrutiny. A former news anchor has alleged that Musk and X executives misled him about the nature of their business arrangement, igniting a legal battle.

As the investigation into the fatal crash remains ongoing, its outcome will be crucial for the future of Tesla's Cybertruck and the broader landscape of electric vehicle safety. The NHTSA's examination will likely shed light on any potential design or operational considerations that need to be addressed to ensure the safety of Tesla's highly anticipated electric pickup trucks.