Tesla Autopilot Engaged in Fatal Virginia Crash

Speeding Tesla failed to stop despite warning, contributing to the death of the driver and raising further questions about Autopilot's safety.

Virginia authorities have determined that a Tesla was operating on its Autopilot system and was speeding in the moments leading to a crash with a crossing tractor-trailer last July that killed the Tesla driver.
The Tesla was traveling 70 mph on four-lane U.S. 29 near Opal, and was 25 mph over the 45 mph speed limit in that area.
Prior to the crash, the Tesla warned the driver to take control of the car because it detected something in the way. But neither the car, which is equipped with Automatic Emergency Braking, nor the driver stopped it in time to avoid the crash.
The crash south of Washington remains under investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which sent investigators to Virginia last summer and began a broader probe of Autopilot more than two years ago.
The Virginia crash brings to 35 the number of Tesla crashes under investigation by NHTSA since June of 2016. In all the cases, the agency suspects the Teslas were operating on a partially automated driving system. At least 17 people have died.