Chao's family does not hold Tesla responsible for the accident, although the details of the tragedy were initially unclear. The sheriff's office initially investigated a possible criminal background, but there was no evidence of this. Speculations about a manipulation of the car or a hack were not supported by the family, according to The Wall Street Journal. The incident highlights the challenges of modern vehicles in emergency situations, as occupants often have only a few seconds to act before the car sinks. Studies show that hundreds of people in North America drown in their vehicles every year.