Federal Safety Regulators Probe Fatal Tesla Autopilot Crash in California
The NHTSA investigates a deadly Newport Beach collision involving a Tesla Model S that reportedly uses the Autopilot system. This tragic accident adds to a growing list of special crash investigations tied to Tesla's driver-assistance technology.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigates a fatal crash in Newport Beach, California, involving a 2022 Tesla Model S that potentially operates on the Autopilot system. The vehicle strikes a curb and slams into construction equipment earlier this month, resulting in three deaths and leaving the car completely totaled.
This tragic incident marks the 42nd special crash investigation related to advanced driver-assistance systems since the probe began in 2016. Out of 35 specific Tesla investigations during this period, regulators rule out Autopilot in only three cases, with 14 crash deaths reported across these inquiries.
Tesla maintains that its Autopilot features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous. However, critics argue that branding terms like "Autopilot" and "full self-driving" mislead consumers, lulling drivers into a false sense of security about the actual capabilities of the technology.