NEED TO KNOW
- A Tesla and an SUV were heading in the same direction in North Miami Beach, Fla., on Oct. 1, when the SUV allegedly cut off the Tesla, which then crashed into a pole and erupted in flames, police said
- Police footage showed officers trying to save the Tesla driver, who died at the scene
- The victim was identified as Julie Eibinder, 24
A 24-year-old Florida woman died after her Tesla crashed and allegedly trapped her inside the burning vehicle as first responders tried to save her.
The North Miami Beach Police Department said the incident occurred on the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Miami Herald, WPLG and NBC affiliate WTVJ reported.
The Tesla and an SUV were traveling westbound on Northwest 163rd Street when the SUV allegedly cut off the Tesla, prompting the Tesla to crash into a utility pole and burst into flames, a North Miami Beach Police Department spokesperson said.
Footage released by police showed officers trying to save the driver — subsequently identified as Julie Eibinder — by breaking windows and using fire extinguishers. However, by the time the flames were put out, Eibinder was dead, according to WTVJ.
“I guess they got burned inside because he couldn’t get out of the car,” Luis Aguiar, a witness, told WPLG, prior to Eibinder’s identification. “Yeah, it was horrible.”
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said another person was taken to the hospital, according to the Herald. The person’s injuries and their involvement in the crash weren’t immediately clear.
Police said at the time that the crash was under investigation, WTVJ reported. The driver of the SUV has not been identified as of Thursday, Oct. 2, according to Herald.
The North Miami Beach Police Department and Tesla did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
The Miami Beach Jewish Community Center confirmed Eibinder’s death in a Sunday, Oct. 5, post on Facebook. According to the center, Eibender served as the group’s membership coordinator.
“Since joining our Miami Beach JCC family in April of 2024, Julie brought a bright spirit, a kind heart, and a deep dedication to our community,” the center said. “In her time with us, she touched the lives of so many with her warmth, her smile, and a genuine love for connecting with others.”
“Her sudden loss is devastating,” they continued. “We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to Julie’s family, her loved ones, and all those who knew and cherished her. We also hold one another close as a community now mourning together. May we find strength in our shared memories, comfort in our connections, and healing in the love that we extend to one another.”
Rabbi Alexander Kaller of the Chabad Russian Center recalled to WTVJ that Eibinder was “always smiling.”
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“She was the kind of person that would walk into the room, and the mood would change like this,” Kaller said. “She was the heart and soul of our young professionals community, and this was her passion.”
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