Print A driver in Torrance is dead after police say they were unable to save the person from their Tesla because of its burning lithium-ion battery. Torrance police responded to a single-vehicle collision involving a Tesla at the intersection of Madrona Avenue and Plaza Del Amo Tuesday at about 10:15 p.m., according to a department news release. A 2025 Tesla Model Y was southbound on Madrona Avenue when, for unknown reasons, the electric car swerved to the right, collided with a traffic pole and caught fire with the driver trapped inside, authorities said. Advertisement Officers tried to get into the vehicle to save the driver, but “due to the intensity of the flames and heat, they were unable to rescue the occupant,” the department said. ‘Horrifying’ fire at California lithium battery plant sparks calls for new clean energy rules When a massive fire erupted at one of the world’s largest lithium-ion battery storage facilities in Monterey County, it didn’t just send a toxic plume of smoke over nearby communities — it cast a shadow of doubt over the future of California’s clean energy industry. Jan. 26, 2025 In 2011, the National Transportation Safety Board began working with the National Fire Protection Assn. to assist first responders (such as firefighters) and second responders (such as tow operators) in handling lithium-ion batteries after a crash. The partnership included electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturers and called on the group to develop post-crash protocols for dealing with vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries, the report stated. In 2015, the National Fire Protection Assn. began publishing emergency field guides for alternative fuel vehicles as part of its safety training program. The association has 70 vehicle manufacturer guides on its website. The basic guidelines for first responders include: Stabilize the vehicle by turning it off and disconnecting the 12-volt battery. Check for any exposed high-voltage components or cables that are visually present. Save any vehicle occupants who are stuck inside. For vehicle fires, use water or standard agents. Consult a manufacturer’s guide or contact the manufacturer for further safety instructions. More to Read