CLUTE, Texas — A 22 year-old man was killed this afternoon after a Tesla Cybertruck crashed into the former pool complex at Clute Municipal Park and burst into flames, according to Clute police.
Authorities said the crash happened around 2:36 p.m. near Brazoswood Drive and Parkview Drive.
Witnesses told investigators the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed before it left the roadway, went airborne and slammed into a structure inside the decommissioned pool area, Clute Police Chief James Fitch said.
The impact ejected the driver from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the victim was a Brazosport ISD employee, but authorities have not publicly released his identity.
Investigators believe the driver may have suffered a medical emergency before the crash, though the cause remains under investigation.
“Very early indications are there could have been a medical episode that caused it,” Fitch said.
After the collision, the Tesla caught fire inside the park complex. Because the vehicle was electric, firefighters remained at the scene for several hours to cool the battery system before crews could safely remove the wreckage.
Authorities said the vehicle did not enter the actual pool area, but the crash damaged fencing and a structure within the abandoned pool complex.
Residents living near the park reported seeing smoke rising from the area shortly after the crash.
First responders shut down Brazoswood Drive in both directions near Parkview Drive while investigators processed the scene and crews worked to clear debris. The roadway reopened around 4:20 p.m.
The Lake Jackson Police Department’s traffic unit assisted with accident reconstruction, including drone operations at the scene.
Clute police and fire personnel were also assisted by Lake Jackson police and fire departments, fire marshals from both cities and Brazosport ISD police.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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