Fatal I-80 Crash: Tesla FSD Strikes Pedestrian in Vallejo

Key points

• The victim, a 71-year-old man, was killed when a Tesla traveling at approximately 70 mph in the second lane of westbound I-80 struck him as he crossed from the right shoulder toward the center divide.
• The 26-year-old driver from San Francisco stated the car was in full autonomous mode and remained at the scene, providing dashcam footage to authorities.
• CHP analysis of the video shows the Tesla applied brakes and veered left to avoid the pedestrian, but the front right portion still made contact.
• Investigators believe a second vehicle may have also struck the victim while he was lying in the traffic lanes, though no other drivers stopped and their identities remain unknown.
• The Solano CHP office is actively investigating the crash and is requesting information from witnesses regarding other potential vehicles involved.

Background

This incident follows a recent crash on the same highway where a driver using Full Self-Driving mode fell asleep and collided with a CHP cruiser, injuring two officers. Additionally, a fatal crash involving a Tesla occurred in Manhattan in September, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding autonomous and impaired driving incidents.

Why it matters

The fatality underscores the risks associated with autonomous driving systems on high-speed freeways, particularly when pedestrians enter the roadway unexpectedly. It also highlights the limitations of current evasive maneuvers in preventing fatal outcomes during such incidents.

What to watch

The California Highway Patrol will continue its investigation into the crash, including the potential involvement of a second vehicle. They are actively seeking witnesses to provide information about other cars that may have struck the victim.