Tesla Motors (TSLA -1.92%) has revved back into investor fancy, but a fiery crash in which a Model S sedan split in two early Friday morning may paint the electric-car manufacturer in an unflattering light again. 

We should be clear that this was a Tesla that was reportedly stolen from a Tesla lot, taken on a joyride that ended with a police chase. According to a witness, the Tesla smashed into a pole at an alarming speed, making the car's fracturing and eventual fire less of a fear for casual drivers and legal owners. 

However, after taking a hit last year following an unfortunate string of fires in Tesla sedans, this probably isn't the way that Tesla wants to be remembered during the holiday weekend. On a day when everyone was gearing up for fireworks, the unfortunate chase that took place in Friday's early hours isn't the kind of pyrotechnics display that Tesla was hoping to be associated with this time. 

There shouldn't be much in terms of investor reaction come Monday, but it's one more time Tesla will have to distance itself from a unique situation involving one of its costly all-electric plug-in vehicles. 

Briefly in the news
And now let's look at some of the other stories that shaped our week.

  • Twitter (TWTR) is testing a "Buy Now" button that could offer the social-media giant a new way to monetize its healthy traffic. Twitter shares are trading well below their post-IPO highs, placing more emphasis on new ways to generate revenue.    
  • Keurig Green Mountain (GMCR.DL) is teaming up with Nestle to put out Coffee-Mate K-Cups. They will be the first Keurig portion pack to combine creamer and coffee. Keurig Green Mountain will begin selling the creamy Nestle K-Cups in the fall through Keurig.com, following it up with a retail rollout early next year.  
  • Plug Power (PLUG -5.17%) closed out the first half of the year as one of the market's biggest winners. The fuel-cell specialist saw its shares more than triple through the first six months of 2014. Plug Power is still losing money, but analysts see it turning profitable next year.