A driver of a Tesla Model Y has been charged with murder following a high-speed crash that resulted in the death of a motorcyclist in Chula Vista, California. According to NBC 7, prosecutors allege that Ulysses Jimenez deliberately accelerated his vehicle to speeds of up to 126 mph in response to the presence of a BMW motorcycle in the carpool lane on I-805. The collision with Jorge Uribe was particularly violent, throwing Uribe approximately 500 feet down the highway and leaving an imprint of his license plate embedded in the Tesla’s front bumper.
In the aftermath of the crash, which occurred near San Diego, Jimenez allegedly attempted to flee the scene. Witnesses reported that he walked barefoot along the highway, waving cash at passing drivers in an effort to secure a ride. His actions drew the attention of law enforcement, who arrested him shortly thereafter.
Jimenez, who has pleaded not guilty, faces serious charges: one count of first-degree murder, one count of hit-and-run causing death, and six counts of assault with a deadly weapon for injuring the six occupants of a nearby Ram 1500 truck. He is currently being held without bail, with a trial set to commence in September 2023.
Victim Remembered
Uribe’s partner, Dulce Martinez, spoke to 10 News about the tragic loss. She shared that Uribe was returning from a motorcycle trip to Washington state when the incident occurred. The victim was riding a BMW R 1300 GS and was just two hours away from their home in Ensenada, Mexico. Martinez revealed that during his trip, Uribe had purchased a onesie for their nearly two-year-old daughter, a poignant reminder of his affection.
Despite Jimenez being behind the wheel of a Tesla, authorities do not believe this incident is connected to any failures of the vehicle’s Autopilot system. Statements made by Jimenez post-arrest led police to conclude that his actions were intentional. This case may draw parallels to a previous incident involving road rage, where another Tesla driver received a five-year prison sentence.
If convicted, Jimenez could face a life sentence, underscoring the seriousness of the charges against him. As the community grapples with the consequences of this tragic event, Uribe’s family mourns the loss of a loved one taken too soon.
