The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating a Jan. 22 collision in which a Tesla on Autopilot slammed into a fire truck.
The collision in Culver City, Calif., is the second high-profile incident this year involving a Tesla operating on Autopilot. On Jan. 19, the California Highway Patrol’s San Francisco unit reported that a suspected drunk driver passed out in his Tesla on the Bay Bridge.
In a tweet, the NTSB said its field investigators will focus on “driver and vehicle factors” in the Jan. 22 collision.
According to the Culver City Fire Department, a Tesla smashed into one of the department’s fire trucks at 65 mph, while the truck was parked on a freeway as firefighters responded to an accident. There were no injuries.
“Please stay alert while driving,” the fire department said in a tweet, adding #distracteddriving.
While working a freeway accident this morning, Engine 42 was struck by a #Tesla traveling at 65 mph. The driver reports the vehicle was on autopilot. Amazingly there were no injuries! Please stay alert while driving! #abc7eyewitness #ktla #CulverCity #distracteddriving pic.twitter.com/RgEmd43tNe
— Culver City Firefighters (@CC_Firefighters) January 22, 2018
In the Jan. 19 incident, the California Highway Patrol said officers found a man passed out behind the wheel of a Tesla on the Bay Bridge. The driver said the vehicle had been set on Autopilot, according to the agency.
In a tweet, the highway patrol added: “No it didn’t tow itself to the tow yard.”
When u pass out behind the wheel on the Bay Bridge with more than 2x legal alcohol BAC limit and are found by a CHP Motor. Driver explained Tesla had been set on autopilot. He was arrested and charged with suspicion of DUI. Car towed (no it didn’t drive itself to the tow yard). pic.twitter.com/4NSRlOBRBL
— CHP San Francisco (@CHPSanFrancisco) January 19, 2018
