A Tesla vehicle crashed on Ennis Joslin Road near Alameda Street in Corpus Christi, Texas, early on February 16, 2026, resulting in a fire and temporary road closure. No injuries were reported, though emergency responders faced challenges extinguishing the electric vehicle's lithium battery fire. Authorities are investigating the cause of the single-vehicle incident.
On the morning of February 16, 2026, around 3:30 a.m., a single-vehicle crash involving a Tesla occurred on the 6000 block of Ennis Joslin Road near Alameda Drive in Corpus Christi, Texas. According to the Corpus Christi Police Department, the driver lost control, leading the sedan to veer off the roadway. One account describes the vehicle rolling over while turning a corner and becoming tangled in power lines, while another notes it came to rest in a residential front yard.
The crash ignited a fire in the electric vehicle, prompting an immediate response from fire crews. Firefighters had to wait for AEP to shut off electricity due to the entanglement with power lines before approaching safely. Once power was cut, crews worked to extinguish the blaze, though the lithium battery fire required a different approach than traditional vehicle fires. A fire department spokesman stated that special blankets designed to smother such fires were not adequate for this magnitude, leading crews to allow the vehicle to burn itself out completely. The incident highlights challenges with electric vehicle fires, which can burn for hours and may reignite.
In one report, a homeowner and a neighbor pulled a woman from the vehicle before emergency crews arrived. No injuries were reported overall, but a nearby parked vehicle in a driveway sustained minor damage from the flames. The Corpus Christi Police Department closed Ennis Joslin Road in both directions between Alameda Street and Nile Drive, causing delays for morning commuters. Motorists were advised to use alternate routes while crews cleared the scene and ensured safety.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Corpus Christi Police Department. Witness accounts confirmed the vehicle caught fire after the impact.