Current:Home > StocksTesla in Seattle-area crash that killed motorcyclist was using self-driving system, authorities say -Excel Money Vision
Tesla in Seattle-area crash that killed motorcyclist was using self-driving system, authorities say
View
Date:2025-04-18 05:46:59
DETROIT (AP) — Authorities in Washington have determined that a Tesla that hit and killed a motorcyclist near Seattle in April was operating on the company’s “Full Self Driving” system at the time of the crash.
Investigators from the Washington State Patrol made the discovery after downloading information from the event-data recorder on the 2022 Tesla Model S, agency spokesman Capt, Deion Glover said Tuesday.
“The investigation is still ongoing in this case,” Glover said in an email to The Associated Press. No charges have been filed, he said.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said last week that “Full Self Driving” should be able to run without human supervision by the end of this year. He has been promising a fleet of robotaxis for several years. During the company’s earnings conference call, he acknowledged that his predictions on the issue “have been overly optimistic in the past.”
After the crash in a suburban area about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northeast of Seattle, the driver told a trooper that he was using Tesla’s Autopilot system 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.
The motorcyclist, Jeffrey Nissen, 28, of Stanwood, Washington, was under the car and pronounced dead at the scene, authorities reported.
Tesla has two partially automated driving systems, “Full Self-Driving,” which can take on many driving tasks even on city streets, and Autopilot, which can keep a car in its lane and away from objects in front of it. Sometimes the names are confused by Tesla owners.
Tesla says at present neither system can drive itself and that human drivers must be ready to take control at any time.
“Full Self-Driving” is being tested on public roads by selected Tesla owners. The company recently has been calling it FSD Supervised.
Musk has said the company will unveil a dedicated robotaxi vehicle that would use the system at an event on Oct. 10. The event was delayed from Aug. 8 to make changes in the vehicle that Musk wanted.
Musk has been telling investors that Tesla is less of a car company and more of a robotics and artificial intelligence company. Many investors have put money into the company based on long term prospects for robotics technology.
veryGood! (139)
Related
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Brussels shooter who killed 2 soccer fans in 'act of terrorism' shot dead by police
- How much is that remote job worth to you? Americans will part with pay to work from home
- Trump set to return to the civil fraud trial that could threaten his business empire
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Watch: Giraffe stumbles, crashes onto car windshield at Texas wildlife center
- Israeli officials identify 2 Hamas leaders it says are responsible for attack, backed by Iran
- Three great movies over three hours
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Waiting for news, families of Israeli hostages in Gaza tell stories of their loved ones
Ranking
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- 2 people accused of helping Holyoke shooting suspect arrested as mother whose baby died recovers
- Toyota's new Tacoma Truck for 2024: Our review
- Even Beethoven got bad reviews. John Malkovich reads them aloud as 'The Music Critic'
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Rolls-Royce is cutting up to 2,500 jobs in an overhaul of the UK jet engine maker
- National Pasta Day 2023: The best deals at Olive Garden, Carrabba's, Fazoli's, more
- A mountain lion in Pennsylvania? Residents asked to keep eye out after large feline photographed
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Tyga Seeking Legal and Physical Custody of His and Blac Chyna’s Son King
Polish election marks huge win for Donald Tusk as ruling conservatives lose to centrist coalition
Who is Jim Jordan, House GOP speaker nominee?
Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
Rolls-Royce is cutting up to 2,500 jobs in an overhaul of the UK jet engine maker
Israeli officials identify 2 Hamas leaders it says are responsible for attack, backed by Iran
Sri Lanka lifts ban on cricketer Gunathilaka after acquittal of rape charges in Australia