A Tesla owner in Houston, Texas is lucky to be alive after a road rage suspect opened fire and shot at his car multiple times. The entire incident was captured through the Tesla’s on-board cameras, with the footage helping to identify and arrest the suspect.
The incident occurred on Sunday, September 25 at about 8:30pm when the Tesla owner Chris Harclerode was driving home from the airport. Harclerode told ABC13 News that he noticed a pickup truck driving aggressively behind him on Westpark Toll Road.
Footage captured from the rear camera shows the truck accelerating, swerving, and tailgating him, coming within inches of hitting the Tesla’s bumper.
That’s when the truck driver pulled alongside the Tesla and through the open window pointed his gun at Harclerode.
Obviously wanting to get out of the situation, Harclerode attempted to exit the highway, but the truck driver was able to get in front and block him. The truck driver then gets out, points his gun at the Tesla, and opens fire multiple times.
Harclerode was able to use the Tesla’s instant acceleration to drive away and was miraculously uninjured. That might not have been the case if it weren’t for the tinted rear window, which he credits for saving his life.
“The window tint basically (stopped) one of the bullets. It struck the passenger rear window, the only thing that kept the bullet from my head was the window tint,” Harclerode said.
Police were able to use the Teslacam footage to identify the suspect, 32-year old James Young, arresting and charging him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
You can check out the video below.
