SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A violent collision between a three-wheeled electric vehicle and an Audi at a busy intersection was caught on camera Wednesday, sending four people to the hospital.
The Collision at Baker and Hayes
The crash occurred around noon near the intersection of Baker and Hayes streets in San Francisco’s Panhandle neighborhood.
Surveillance footage shows a black Audi entering the intersection just as an Arcimoto FUV (Fun Utility Vehicle), a three-wheeled electric autocycle, broadsides it. The impact was violent enough to deploy the Audi’s airbags and send the sedan spinning across the roadway.
Occupant Ejected Onto Roadway
The force of the crash ejected one of the occupants from the open-air Arcimoto FUV. The individual was filmed tumbling violently across the pavement before coming to a stop. A second occupant appeared to remain inside the heavily damaged three-wheeler.
Two pedestrians who were entering the crosswalk narrowly missed being hit and immediately rushed to help the victims.
Emergency Response and Injuries
The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) responded to the scene and confirmed that four people were transported to a local hospital. Fortunately, authorities stated the injuries ranged from minor to moderate.
Photos from the aftermath showed severe damage to the driver’s-side rear door of the Audi, as well as significant front-end wreckage on the Arcimoto EV.
Investigation Underway
San Francisco Police cordoned off the intersection with yellow tape for several hours to investigate the cause of the accident.
While the Arcimoto FUV is legal to operate on California roads as an autocycle, the incident has sparked local discussions regarding occupant safety in lightweight, open-air electric vehicles during broadside collisions. The identities of those involved have not been released, and the investigation remains active.
