A Tesla driver involved in a fatal crash with a motorcyclist in Seattle in April was distracted while using the vehicle’s automated driving system, according to Washington authorities. The crash resulted in the motorcyclist’s death at the scene.
Washington State Patrol investigators determined the use of the Tesla Model S’ driver-assist system by analyzing data from the vehicle’s event data recorder. “The investigation is still ongoing in this case,” said Capt. Deion Glover in an email to the Associated Press, adding that the Snohomish County Prosecutor will decide if charges will be filed.
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Following the crash, the Tesla driver admitted to looking at his cellphone while using the Autopilot system. A probable-cause document states, “The next thing he knew there was a bang and the vehicle lurched forward as it accelerated and collided with the motorcycle in front of him.”
The driver was arrested for investigation of vehicular homicide, with the affidavit noting, “based on the admitted inattention to driving, while on Autopilot mode, and the distraction of the cell phone while moving forward, putting trust in the machine to drive for him.”
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While Tesla reports indicate that systems like Autopilot and Full Self-Driving improve vehicle safety, incidents such as this crash raise concerns about the company’s ability to deploy a fully unsupervised autonomous driving system. Elon Musk mentioned during Tesla’s Q2 2024 earnings call that unsupervised Full Self-Driving could be possible by the end of the year.
Tesla’s development of a fully autonomous driving system is crucial for its plans to introduce a ride-hailing Robotaxi service, with an official unveiling of a dedicated Robotaxi vehicle expected in October.
