Tesla’s Autopilot requires drivers to pay attention at all times. Unfortunately, one man in Raleigh, North Carolina, failed to follow his responsibilities in his Tesla.
According to the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, they said earlier today, “Thankfully our Deputy and the Trooper were not injured during this incident. This is just another opportunity to remind everyone of the Move Over Law in NC. Also, we don’t recommend watching a movie while driving down the road, even if your car is driving for you.”
According to WRAL, the man driving the apparent Tesla Model S was identified as Devainder Goli, a Raleigh doctor. He was watching a movie on his smartphone when the accident occurred. Goli works at Halifax Regional Medical Center in Roanoke Rapids and was heading back to Raleigh before the crash occurred.
Goli’s Tesla smashed into a deputy’s car first, which then rammed into a State Highway Patrol car from the initial crash. The deputy vehicle was overseeing a lane closure on U-S 64 near Spring Hope, as the latter was investigating another crash.
“Luckily, the state trooper pushed our deputy out of the way when he heard the tires squall and in an instant we could have lost a life or several lives. It could have been very horrific,” said Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone.
Goli was charged with a move over violation and viewing a television device while driving. He could have killed the deputy and state trooper.
Note to self: never watch a movie on my smartphone while my Tesla is on Autopilot.
