Tesla crashes into Huntington Beach hair salon, customer hospitalized

One person was hospitalized with minor injuries Wednesday after a vehicle crashed into a business at a retail plaza on the southwest corner of Edinger Avenue and Goldenwest Street in Huntington Beach, fire department officials reported.

Crews responded to a business in the 6800 block of Edinger at around 12:15 p.m. They found a black Tesla sedan had crashed into the glass window front of a hair salon nestled between a math tutoring center and DeSimone Deli and Bakery near a Smart & Final.

One customer inside the business, whose identity was not released, was transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.

The driver of the Tesla, described only as a man in his 70s, remained on scene and cooperated with police.

“As of right now, we believe the gas or accelerator was mistakenly used instead of the brake,” Huntington Beach public affairs manager Jessica Cuchilla said, specifying that the Tesla was not in self-driving mode.

Cuchilla said while an investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, investigators believe intoxication did not play a role.

Members of HBFD’s Urban Search & Rescue Team, along with the city’s building department, responded to the scene to assess the structural integrity of the business. Although the glass storefront shattered on impact, the building was not deemed unsafe, Cuchilla added.

Fire officials urged residents to be careful when navigating crowded areas.

“Please use extra caution when driving through parking lots and shopping centers and always remain alert for pedestrians, storefronts, and other vehicles,” their online post read.