SEATTLE (AP) — A Tesla that may have been operating on the company’s Autopilot driving system hit and killed a motorcyclist near Seattle, raising questions about whether a recent recall went far enough to ensure Tesla drivers using Autopilot pay attention to the road.
After the crash Friday in a suburban area about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northeast of the city, the driver of a 2022 Tesla Model S told a Washington State Patrol trooper that he was using Autopilot and looked at his cellphone while the Tesla was moving.
“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 trooper wrote in a probable-cause document.
The 56-year-old driver was arrested for investigation of vehicular homicide “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,” the affidavit said.
I'm a cruise ship worker...these are the FIVE things smart passengers always do onboard
EU condemns Turkish decision to convert Hagia Sophia back to mosque
Novel coronavirus has existed worldwide before emerging in China: Oxford University expert
Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit
World should act as one when it needs China to play a role in creating economic growth
Philippines, China cooperate to crack down on illegal offshore gambling
Urumqi takes measures to meet residents' need amid efforts to contain COVID
Iran helicopter crash that killed President Raisi could reverberate across the Middle East
PMs of Italy, Portugal call for ambition to attack the crisis
Ravens sign WR Qadir Ismail, the son of former NFL receiver Qadry Ismail
China's homegrown C919, ARJ21 commence Southeast Asian demo flights