Police have released CCTV of a blue Tesla as part of the investigation into a traffic crash at Gaven this morning, which left a 51-year-old man with serious head, facial and upper body injuries.
Around 7.20am, police were notified of a traffic crash northbound on the Smith Street off-ramp (Exit 66).
Preliminary information was that a gold 2009 Volkswagen Passat had left the roadway and crashed into a tree at speed.
A passer-by stopped and cut the injured driver's seatbelt, freeing him, before the vehicle became engulfed in flames.
Subsequent investigations indicate that the Volkswagen was involved in an incident with a blue Tesla northbound on Nerang Connection Road Northbound towards the M1, minutes prior.
Both vehicles were then sighted travelling northbound on the M1, then exiting onto the Smith Street off-ramp, prior to the crash.
Witnesses reported observing the driver of the blue Tesla stop at the crash site, open their car door, then close it and drive away.
Paramedics transported the 51-year-old Gilston man to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Two lanes of the Smith Street off-ramp were temporarily blocked causing congestion.
Police are now appealing for the driver of the blue Tesla to come forward. Further, police are appealing to anyone who may have captured dash-camera footage of either vehicle in the vicinity of Nerang Connection Road, the M1 northbound between Exit 69 and Exit 66, or the Smith Street off-ramp between 7:00am and 7:20am today, to come forward.
Please see the below link to access CCTV of both vehicles travelling northbound on the M1 seconds prior to the crash:https://d2haxmvzil2swt.cloudfront.net/uploads/2021/09/09/121644_Southport_Appeal.mp4
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
