Tesla Full Self-Driving Crashes Pile Up Across California
A 71-year-old man was killed early Thursday after being struck by a Tesla on westbound Interstate 80 in Vallejo, California. The driver told the California Highway Patrol that the vehicle’s Full Self-Driving mode was engaged at the time of the crash.
Fatal I-80 collision under investigation
The crash occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. as the pedestrian was crossing the freeway, according to the CHP. The Tesla was reportedly traveling about 70 mph when the driver said the vehicle braked but could not avoid the man.
The driver, a 26-year-old San Francisco man, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. CHP officials said he provided dashboard-camera footage from the Tesla. Authorities have not released the victim’s identity.
Another vehicle may also have struck the pedestrian and left the scene, according to the initial reports. The CHP is investigating the circumstances of the collision and has not determined whether the Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system contributed to the crash.
Second reported Tesla crash on I-80
The Vallejo collision is the second reported October crash on Interstate 80 involving a Tesla that was allegedly operating in Full Self-Driving mode.
In the earlier incident, a Tesla struck a CHP patrol vehicle from behind, injuring two officers from the agency’s Solano-area office. The officers were briefly hospitalized, according to reports.
CHP emphasizes driver responsibility
Following the earlier crash, the CHP said that, despite its name, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system is not fully autonomous. Tesla describes the feature as requiring a driver who remains attentive and ready to take control of the vehicle.
The fatal Vallejo crash remains under investigation.
