Tesla’s poisoned public image is impacting the drivers of the brand’s electric vehicles. In some cases, acts against drivers can be as innocuous as a note or a lewd gesture. However, some anti-Elon Musk demonstrators are taking things to an extreme level, attacking owners and their Tesla EVs. An Arizona woman’s Tesla cameras, for instance, captured an attacker as he drove around her, used his car as a barrier, and physically attacked her. 

Onboard cameras caught an Arizona driver as he zoomed around an ‘appalled’ Tesla driver, boxed her in, and attacked her

A 61-year-old motorist was driving her Tesla on Route 66 in Flagstaff, Arizona, when she noticed a vehicle following her. It was a green Chevrolet Cavalier, and the Tesla cameras captured it as it whipped around the EV’s driver side. The Cavalier then pulled in front of the Tesla, blocking its escape. 

According to Arizona’s Family, the woman behind the wheel of the Tesla wished to remain anonymous while talking to the media after the event. Instead, she elected to go by “Susan.” Susan’s Tesla cameras show the man in the Cavalier jump out, run over, and attack her. Susan says the man punched her “with a closed fist.” 

“I didn’t buy my car for a political statement,” Susan said. “I bought my car because it’s really fun to drive. My politics have nothing to do with that.” She also claimed that she’s troubled by the anti-Tesla public sentiment. “I’m ashamed of our society and what they’re doing,” she added. “I’m just appalled.” 

However, Flagstaff police officers reported that the incident wasn’t entirely one-sided. Law enforcement says “driving behavior, honking, and disorderly hand gestures” may have contributed. What’s more, witnesses reported that both parties had been driving erratically before the assault. Susan even admits to biting her assailant during the physical altercation. 

Seeing an opportunity to further politicize the event, Arizona Representative Abe Hamadeh blamed the “radical left” for the attack. He claimed the “the anti-Elon” left was “Unable to come to terms with their historic loss in November.” As a result, they have “resorted to violence,” he generalized. He’s right about one thing: this attack was “deplorable,” and attacks like it should “stop before more people are hurt.” 

A segment of the Tesla’s wraparound camera coverage captured the brazen assault. Check out the footage below, but be warned: some viewers may find the content disturbing.