Feds suspect Tesla using automated system in firetruck crash

DETROIT — U.S. investigators suspect {that a} Tesla was working on an automatic driving system when it crashed right into a firetruck in California final month, killing the motive force and critically injuring a passenger.

The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration mentioned Wednesday it has dispatched a particular crash investigation staff to look into the Feb. 18 crash in Northern California the place emergency responders needed to reduce open the Tesla to take away the passenger. 4 Contra Costa County firefighters had minor accidents.

The probe is a component of a bigger investigation by the company into a number of situations of Teslas on Autopilot crashing into parked emergency autos which can be tending to different crashes.

The $1.4 million ladder truck was broken within the crash on Interstate 680. The truck was parked to protect a crew clearing one other accident, hearth officers mentioned.

The motive force of the the 2014 Tesla Mannequin S was declared lifeless on the scene.

NHTSA is investigating how Tesla’s Autopilot system detects and responds to emergency autos parked on highways. At the very least 15 Teslas have crashed into emergency autos nationwide whereas utilizing the system.

Authorities mentioned the truck had its lights on and was parked diagonally on northbound lanes of the freeway to guard responders to an earlier accident that didn’t end in accidents.

The deadly accident occurred round 4 a.m., and it took a number of hours to clear the freeway. The firetruck needed to be towed away.

The Mannequin S was among the many almost 363,000 autos Tesla recalled in February due to potential flaws in “Full Self-Driving” a extra subtle partially automated driving system.

The recall, to be finished with a web-based software program replace, is geared toward correcting doable issues at intersections and with velocity limits.

Regardless of their names, Tesla has mentioned each techniques are superior driver help techniques and that human drivers have to be able to intervene always.

Messages have been left Wednesday looking for remark from Tesla, which has disbanded its public relations division.