Deranged Stalker Seizes Control of Woman’s Tesla Software to Terrorize Her While Driving

Tesla owners have ceded significant control of their vehicles to software, from problematic touchscreens to advanced driver assistance systems. Narghiza Ergashova, a native of Sydney, experienced a particularly distressing situation as her ex-partner, Enrico Pucci, remotely manipulated her Tesla from his smartphone. Police records detail Ergashova's terrifying ordeal at the hands of her abuser in 2025.

Pucci activated a "parental control" profile on the car, tailing her in his own vehicle and verbally assaulting her about her new partner. The software enabled Pucci to manipulate various aspects of Ergashova's Tesla, including setting the vehicle's speed to a dangerous 25 mph with "Valet Mode" and altering the cabin temperature to extreme levels.

He also controlled the car's drive schedule using curfew hours - a feature typically intended for teaching young drivers. Law enforcement noted Pucci had been the sole user of the Tesla's controls, causing the victim significant stress, mental harm, and fear for her physical safety. Pucci, who has a history of 30 domestic violence offenses, including eight counts of stalking, two counts of choking, and assault resulting in bodily harm, pleaded guilty and faced a two-year prison sentence.