Body of driver discovered in Tesla fire after Back Bay Drive rollover ID’d

The body of a man discovered trapped inside a Tesla that lost control on Back Bay Drive early Friday morning and burst into flames was identified as a 33-year-old Santa Ana resident, coroner’s officials confirmed Monday.

Newport Beach Police Department received multiple 911 calls at 12:33 a.m. Friday, regarding a 2021 Tesla Model Y that was overturned and completely engulfed in flames near the roadway, approximately one mile north of San Joaquin Hills Road, according to a release issued Friday.

Fire crews arrived on scene and immediately began battling the blaze, working for more than an hour to extinguish the fire. At that point, firefighters discovered a deceased man inside the vehicle.

The driver was identified by the county coroner’s office as Joseph Santos Requejo Jr., 33, of Santa Ana, according to sheriff’s spokesperson Sgt. Gerard McCann. As of Monday, it was still unknown whether impairment may have played a role, according to police.

Investigators with NBPD’s Major Accident Investigation Team believe the Tesla was traveling eastbound on Back Bay Drive at a high rate of speed when it left the roadway, landed on its roof and caught on fire.

Anyone who may have information about this collision is encouraged to contact Sgt. Sabrina Fabbri at sfabbri@nbpd.org.