A baby boomer caught on camera driving a Tesla with his wife in a shopping center parking lot blames drivers for their behavior on the road and complains: “I'm fed up.”
Raymond Edwards, 70, told Chron Australia his and his wife Barbara's actions at the Brookside Shopping Center in Brisbane's inner north last October were “completely out of character”.
As Mr Edwards stood outside his home, he said he and Barbara had let frustration get the better of them after they were “cut off” by a white Tesla and a white BMW about half a mile from the shops and almost forced into a power pole .
The couple then tried to get revenge – but were caught by the Tesla's sentry mode, which records threats on video. They were also seen operating the BMW.
Mr Edwards admitted it was wrong to key the cars before launching into a tirade about the behavior of motorists. He also stated that he would never own an electric vehicle and would “stand there and clap” if he ever saw a burning Tesla on the side of the road.
“I regret our actions, but the thing is: civility has been thrown out the window and stupidity thrown in,” Mr Edwards said.
Raymond Edwards, 70, (pictured), a baby boomer who was caught on camera driving a Tesla with his wife in a shopping center parking lot, blames drivers for their behavior on the road
Mr Edwards, a motorsport enthusiast, told Chron Australia his and his wife Barbara's actions at the Brookside Shopping Center in Brisbane's inner north last October were “out of character”.
Mr Edwards admitted he let his frustration get the best of him after being “cut off” by a white Tesla and a white BMW. The pair then attempted to retaliate at the mall – but were caught by the Tesla's sentry mode, which records threats (pictured).
Since then, Mr. Edwards has invested in a dashboard camera so he can provide evidence to authorities the next time he and Barbara go off the road.
“I see people driving irresponsibly all the time and the police driving nearby do nothing.”
Mr Edwards, who says he has never had a criminal conviction, said in more than 50 years as a driver he could count on one hand the number of traffic offenses he has committed.
“Anyone who teaches these people how to drive needs to take a hard look at themselves,” he said.
Last week the couple were convicted after they were caught on camera driving the luxury vehicles.
Mr. Edwards was ordered to pay $2,443.61 in compensation for damage caused to the Tesla and BMW, while Ms. Edwards was ordered to pay the remaining $897.25 for Tesla repair work.
Mr Edwards, pictured driving the Tesla, has since invested in a dashboard camera so he can provide authorities with evidence the next time he and his wife Barbara go off the road
Mr Edwards, who says he has never had a criminal conviction, said in more than 50 years as a driver he could count on one hand the number of traffic offenses he has committed
As they left the courtroom, the couple was shielded by their family and friends with umbrellas to avoid being photographed.
“It cost me almost $5,000 – I plan on paying $50 every two weeks until it pays off,” he says.
Mr Edwards claims he has suffered a heart attack in recent months and his wife remains in “poor health”
He said the couple had been vilified online and harassed by the public in the months since the incident.
“A stone was thrown at our house, it bounced off the railing, but it could have also broken through a window,” he said.
Mr Edwards also claims the pair were wrongly banned from Brookside Shopping Center for life.
Mr Edwards says he is a lover of performance cars, often posing with racing cars and taking part in supercar events such as the Bathurst 1000.
Mr Edwards' wife (centre), Barbara (pictured left), protected her face with a face mask as the couple left court in December
The couple was protected with umbrellas by their family and friends to avoid being photographed
“Keyboard warriors have made all sorts of accusations – one said we typed in a Ford Mustang, which is crazy – I fully support Blue (Ford).”
However, there is one car that Mr. Edwards says he has no plans to get behind the wheel of anytime soon: an electric vehicle.
“Electric cars – I would never buy one, not that I could afford one,” he said.
“I would like to see a burning Tesla sitting on the side of the road.”
“I got out, stood there and clapped.”
Brookside Shopping Center has been contacted for comment.
Raymond and Barbara's Tesla Key: A Timeline
- October 28: The pair were caught on camera damaging luxury cars at the Brookside Shopping Center in Mitchelton, in Brisbane's inner north
- December 11: The pair appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court and were charged with wounding with intent
- January 20: Raymond Edwards and his wife Barbara Edwards pleaded guilty to wounding with intent in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday
- Mr. Edwards was ordered to pay $2,443.61 in compensation for damage caused to the Tesla and BMW, while Ms. Edwards was ordered to pay the remaining $897.25 for Tesla repair work
- The Edwards, whose supporters tried to block cameras, declined to comment outside court.
- January 24: Mr Edwards told Chron Australia that he and Barbara's actions were “out of character” and that they had been banned from Brookside Shopping Center for life