UPDATED 1/2 12:00 p.m. ET: The individual who died after a Tesla Cybertruck burst into flames outside of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas has been identified, and he reportedly used fireworks and gasoline to trigger the explosion.
Per ABC News, the person suspected of driving the electric vehicle has since been identified as active duty Army soldier Matthew Livelsberger, who rented the car through the Turo app according to officials investigating the incident. He was on approved leave from the Army at the time of his death. Officials added that his wife said Livelsberger had been absent since Christmas after they argued over alleged infidelity. He was said to be a supporter of Donald Trump.
Two firearms have been recovered from the wreckage of the vehicle and investigators believe the explosion was "intentional," although the motive has yet to be determined. Livelsberger was the only person killed in the incident, but seven people were injured. Surveillance footage showed that the vehicle had fireworks, gasoline cans, and camping fuel canisters in the back.
Elon Musk initially took a while to respond to the incident, but later said he and the Tesla team were helping with the investigation. He later claimed that the explosion was "caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unreleased to the vehicle itself." His statement has not yet been verified by authorities.
See the original post below.
One person has died after a Tesla Cybertruck exploded in a burst of flames outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Jan. 1.
As reported by NBC News, the electric vehicle exploded outside the entrance of the hotel this morning, which the Clark County Fire Department responded to at approximately 8:40 a.m. local time. Deputy Chief of the fire department, Thomas Touchstone, said the firefighters who responded "realized at the same time that there were multiple persons with injuries located around the vehicle" while extinguishing the fire.
Multiple people were left injured and at least one person died following the incident. Officials are working to recover a body from the electric vehicle, which caught fire after the explosion in the hotel's valet area. In videos circulating on social media, including one clip shot from inside the hotel, sirens can be heard in the moments following the explosion.
Tesla has not yet responded to the incident, but the Trump Organization has shared a statement, as seen in a post by the incoming president's son Eric Trump below. "Earlier today, a reported electric vehicle fire occurred in the porte cochère of Trump Las Vegas," reads the statement. "The safety and well-being of our guests and staff remain our top priority. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and local law enforcement for their swift response and professionalism."
Per KLAS, one anonymous witness staying at Resorts World nearby said they heard several loud noises followed by the sight of the smoke. “It was shaking the glass it was so loud,” he said. “I looked out and see smoke and me and my wife booked it out of there."
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, was recently tapped to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (aka DOGE, ugh) by the Trump administration. The department was launched to reduce government spending and cut federal regulations. Through the 2024 presidential election, Musk donated $277 million to the Trump campaign and other Republican candidates.
Musk tweeted that the explosion was caused by "very large fireworks and/or a bomb," whil CNN reported that investigators believe the explosion was "intentional."