A Tesla driver stopped in the middle of Route 22 in Bridgewater on Sunday afternoon, which led to a fatal rear-end crash involving two other vehicles, authorities said.
The Tesla was headed east near Grove Street at about 4:05 p.m. before the driver came to a “complete stop” in the center lane, Bridgewater police said.
An SUV traveling behind the Tesla was then forced to stop. The 91-year-old driver of a third vehicle — a passenger car — was unable to stop in time and hit the SUV from behind.
His car then veered into the right lane before it slid left into the center median, where it struck a tree before coming to rest.
The Bridgewater man driving died of his injuries at an area hospital. His passenger, a 93-year-old woman, was hospitalized with minor injuries.
The man was not identified and police didn’t immediately explain why the Tesla driver stopped.
The occupants of the SUV — a 33-year-old Brooklyn, New York man and two passengers.
No charges have been filed and the crash remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call Bridgewater police officer Ryan Veneman at 908-722-4111, extension 4083, or the Bridgewater tips line at 877-660-4636.