A Texas man has been charged with manslaughter after a fatal car crash involving a Tesla. The incident occurred last month when the vehicle crashed into a home, killing a 76-year-old grandmother. The driver, a 44-year-old man, told investigators that the Tesla's driver-assistance system was engaged at the time of the crash. However, the company has disputed this account.
According to court documents, the driver was using the Tesla Model 3 with the Autopilot system on when it crashed into the home. The victim, who was inside the residence at the time, was flown to a hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The driver was arrested and charged with manslaughter, with his bail set at $150,000. He has also been ordered to wear an ankle monitor and is not allowed to drive.
The investigation into the crash revealed that the vehicle was traveling at a speed of 73 mph, more than double the posted speed limit, before it crashed into the home. The brake pedal was not applied in the minutes leading up to the crash, and the driver failed to maintain a single lane before leaving the roadway. Ring doorbell footage of the crash shows the vehicle slamming into the house at a high rate of speed.
The driver claimed that he had adjusted the music on the Tesla's touchscreen before he "passed out" and that the vehicle was on Autopilot. However, the company has disputed this account, stating that a vehicle operating in Full Self-Driving mode would travel slowly through residential streets. The driver has denied feeling ill or consuming alcohol or drugs before the crash.
The family of the victim has sued the company, alleging that her death resulted from gross negligence and failure to warn consumers that its self-driving systems were defective. The case is ongoing, with the driver's next court appearance pending. The incident has raised questions about the safety of self-driving systems and the need for clear guidelines and regulations.
