Edmunds has an interesting article speculating about what the driver in TN might have hit.
http://www.edmunds.com/tesla/model-s...ch-he-hit.html
All of this tends to jibe with what I've seen speculated about before, and with the conclusion that hitting something like that is not something you want to do in ANY car.
My only issue with this piece is the bit about asking Tesla to talk to the driver. Come on, man, you're a "journalist." Do some journalism--email the guy (his name and contact info are very easy to find) and ask him the questions. You don't need Tesla's permission.