Autopilot Not to Blame in Fatal Accident Involving Model S, Tesla Says
A fatal accident involving a Tesla Model S did not have the Autopilot feature activated at the time of the incident.
The tragic accident occurred in the Netherlands earlier this week, with the Model S colliding into a tree and parts of the battery pack catching on fire. The American automaker has released a statement concerning the accident, saying that it “can confirm from the car’s logs that Autopilot was not engaged at any time during the drive cycle and that, consistent with the damage that was observed after the vehicle struck the tree, the vehicle was being driven at more than 155 kph (96 mph),” Electrek reports.
SEE ALSO: Tesla to Add New Safety Features to Autopilot
Following the accident, Tesla dispatched technicians to the scene of the crash because firefighters requested assistance. Ronald Boer, spokesman for the firefighters, said: “If the car was on four wheels, the fire brigade normally has no difficulty to turn off the batteries. However, this car is completely destroyed, hampering the recovery. In this situation, you never know what can happen.”
[Source: Electrek]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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How does a big expensive, supposedly safety-oriented toastla burst into flames at only 96MPH when Putin's limo driver smacked that regular car at close to 250kph with neither car catching fire??