Just tried that, same problem. On my clean install my mods folder is empty, I tried with empty mods folder, with one car installed, renamed mods folder, ELS folder deleted, ELS folder stock, ELS folder with the POLICE.xml that comes with it deleted, it is the same problem every time.
I will attach a few screenshots for you:
This is where the game crashes at:
This is my GTA folder when everything is installed as mentioned. Mods folder renamed, ELS folder is the one that comes with the download: