Pregnant woman seriously injured by rock thrown through Tesla windshield

Vancouver Police are investigating after a woman was struck and seriously injured by a large rock that smashed through the windshield of her Tesla while she was a passenger in the vehicle.

Source: Vancouver Police Department

Vancouver Police are investigating after a woman was struck and seriously injured by a large rock that smashed through the windshield of her Tesla while she was a passenger in the vehicle.

In a statement released Thursday, police said the woman, who was pregnant, was seated in the passenger side of a grey 2022 Tesla heading north on Nanaimo Street near East 27th Avenue at around 8:45 p.m. on Sunday. A two-pound rock then smashed into the windshield, hitting her and causing serious injuries.

“We are working to determine whether this was a criminal act, and if someone intentionally targeted this Tesla,” said Sergeant Steve Addison. “This very serious incident could easily have resulted in someone’s death, but for a few inches.”

Investigators have examined the vehicle and have canvassed the neighbourhood for additional evidence, however, police have not yet determined where the rock came from or what caused it to strike the vehicle.

The incident comes on the heels of several cases of Tesla dealership vandalism and anti-Tesla protests in Vancouver, which have become increasingly hostile in recent weeks.

In response, the VPD reportedly deployed more than 130 extra officers to maintain order at the protests.

The department added that officers are investigating 28 anti-Tesla incidents since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, including “hateful words and symbols spray-painted on buildings, eggs thrown at cars, and windshields smashed” at dealerships and charging stations.

“Police don’t yet know where the rock came from or what caused it to strike the vehicle,” the VPD said about the Sunday incident.