Paraphrasing the old line about statistics, "tell me which side of the argument you are on and I'll give you the data to prove you are right". If there is one thing I learned by analyzing test data during my engineering years, it can easily get skewed if you aren't careful with the sensors. 

Doing engineering work the sensors were checked and calibrated on a regular basis to ensure that they were providing accurate readings. Factors such as temperature, age, vibration and more can throw off the readings. In a production car, you don't have this calibration capability and the sensors used generally don't have the same level of precision. The readings you get from the production sensors must be taken with a big chunk of salt. There are algorithms built in to cross check sensors and calculate correction factors, but they work comparatively slowly to avoid sudden fluctuations. 

As a result, changes in temperature for example can throw off things like the model that estimates battery state of charge or even wheel speed calculations as the tire pressure changes.

In self-reporting as writer John Broder did, you can also encounter some errors. Mix these factors together and take things out of context as Musk does repeatedly and you can get the appearance of a lie when there is none. Any competent engineer would spend time pouring over the data and reports and correlating everything so it lined up properly and told the true story. Musk seems to have used the data selectively to bite  back at Broder.

The bottom line would appear to be that Broder did not do everything possible to avoid running out of electrons, but he did appear to follow the directions of +Tesla Motors personnel as much as possible. The Model S is a remarkable piece of engineering but it is far from perfect.

The reality is that for the foreseeable future EV drivers must do more planning than those used to driving internal combustion vehicles even in a Model S with the biggest battery. Even with an ICE you can still run out of gas or diesel if you aren't careful but the results are generally less dire than needing a flatbed. Oh and cold weather will have a major impact on battery performance.