Federal Investigators Probe Fatal California Tesla Crash
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigates a deadly Tesla crash in California that gains added attention due to a viral video of a separate airborne Tesla incident in Los Angeles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigates a fatal Tesla crash in California as part of its ongoing scrutiny of the automaker's advanced driver-assistance systems. This specific incident adds to the growing list of accidents involving Tesla vehicles that authorities suspect operate under Autopilot or the Full Self-Driving beta program at the time of the collision.
The investigation unfolds alongside widespread attention on a viral video showing a different Tesla launching airborne over a hill in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. That spectacular stunt destroys the vehicle and severely damages a parked car, highlighting the extreme risks drivers take while testing the limits of their electric vehicles on public roads.
Safety regulators continue to pressure Tesla to improve its driver-monitoring systems to prevent drivers from misusing the technology. As these high-profile incidents capture public attention, the federal government faces increasing pressure to establish stricter rules for partially automated driving features across the entire automotive industry.