Authorities have concluded that Tesla’s Autopilot was not engaged during the tragic crash on May 12 involving a Tesla Model S Plaid, which killed three people and injured three others, reports the L.A. Times. The incident occurred on Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach, California, when the vehicle collided with construction equipment at high speed.
Crystal McCallum, 34, of Texas, Andrew James Chaves, 32, of Arizona, and Wayne Walter Swanson Jr., 40, were killed in the crash. Three people at the scene working were injured.
The crash came amidst growing concerns about the safety of self-driving cars and attracted widespread media attention. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) had received reports of 34 accidents involving such technology since 2016, with 28 of those involving Tesla vehicles. Newport Beach police worked closely with the NHTSA, Tesla, and other local agencies to determine the factors leading to the accident.
After analyzing the data from the Model S’s onboard computer, investigators found that the driver-assist function was not active during the crash, and the vehicle was under the driver’s control. Authorities now believe that speeding, along with alcohol or drug use, were the main factors behind the incident.
Newport Beach police’s Major Accident Investigation Team emphasized the importance of providing a thorough investigation for the loved ones of those involved in the crash, as well as determining who might be responsible. With traffic fatalities rising in the US, investigators continue to prioritize the human toll of accidents and work toward providing closure for the affected parties.
Lt. Eric Little of the Newport Beach Police Department acknowledged the inconvenience caused by road closures during investigations but emphasized the importance of appreciating that those detouring are not the ones in the tragic situation.
