LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Las Vegas man was arrested after crashing his Tesla into a fence at Harry Reid International Airport on Memorial Day weekend and fleeing the scene.
Derrick Lee Smith, 38, was arrested the next day on May 25 and faces charges of malicious destruction of property over $5,000, duty to stop upon damaging unattended property and reckless driving, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
MORE ON FOX5: Driver flees after crashing, damaging 200 feet of fencing near Las Vegas airport
According to an arrest report, a white Tesla Model 3 was seen on surveillance video driving the wrong way down Paradise Road before striking a large dirt embankment. Witnesses told officers they saw the vehicle enter the intersection against a red light, hit a dirt embankment and drive over it before striking and damaging the fence.
After the collision, the vehicle was then seen fleeing the area and failed to report the collision to authorities.
Airport officials later told officers that the fencing repairs were estimated to cost between $15,000 to $20,000, and would take 10-12 days to complete.
Counter Terrorism Section detectives responded to the scene and found that the white Tesla seen on surveillance video was registered to Smith.
Detectives then set up surveillance at Smith’s home, the report states, and located the Tesla parked nearby.
When detectives approached Smith’s home, he exited and had noticeable injuries to his face, a gash on his nose, blood on his ear, blood on his pants and severe bruising on his arm.
According to the report, Smith admitted to detectives that he was the driver of the Tesla, but claimed the vehicle was in autopilot mode at the time of the crash. After being asked by detectives, he also denied that the incident was tied to any terroristic or extremist groups.
Smith was taken into custody without incident. Court records show that he was released from custody after posting bond, but is due back before a judge on Thursday, June 25.
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