The driver of a pricey electric vehicle that crashed over the side of Malibu Canyon Road north of Pacific Coast Highway, killing him and igniting a small brush fire, was a 53-year-old man, authorities said Tuesday.
CHP Sgt. Chris Powell said the victim’s 2013 Tesla was northbound on Malibu Canyon Road when it drifted to the right and down a canyon embankment. The vehicle caught fire and the driver – whose name was not yet made public – died at the scene, Powell said.
The burning vehicle ignited a fire that spread to three acres of brush on the canyon hillside before it was controlled, Powell said.
A firefighter suffered a minor injury at the scene.
The crash was reported about 11:20 a.m. Monday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
—Staff and wire reports