A Tesla Model S on autopilot hits fire engine at California crash scene
While working a freeway accident this morning, Engine 42 was struck by a #Tesla traveling at 65 mph. The driver reports the vehicle was on autopilot. Amazingly there were no injuries! Please stay alert while driving! #abc7eyewitness #ktla #CulverCity #distracteddriving pic.twitter.com/RgEmd43tNe
— Culver City Firefighters (@CC_Firefighters) January 22, 2018
Culver City (CA) Fire Department Engine 42 has been sidelined to get body work done after a car smashed into the rear of the rig parked at a crash scene around 8:30 this (Monday) morning. It wasn’t just any car. It was a Tesla Model S and IAFF Local 1927 (Culver City Firefighters) reports the car was traveling at 65 mph. It was going that fast because the driver told firefighters the Tesla was on the vehicle’s “Autopilot” feature.
So, there you have it. We now know the damn autopilot feature is apparently every bit as safe and attentive as humans driving near emergency scenes. The future is bleak folks. Very bleak.
Regardless of the vehicle type, this was a very close call for our firefighters working on scene. This does not happen all the time.
— Culver City Firefighters (@CC_Firefighters) January 22, 2018
Ethan Baron, The Mercury News:
The California Highway Patrol and Culver City Fire Department confirmed the southbound Tesla had struck the fire truck, but could not immediately confirm whether the vehicle had been on Autopilot.
The fire truck had been parked in the left emergency lane and carpool lane, blocking off the scene of a previous accident, with a CHP vehicle behind it and to the side, said Culver City Fire Department battalion chief Ken Powell.
Both emergency vehicles had their lights flashing, Powell added.
The Tesla suffered significant damage, and the fire truck has been taken out of service to have body work done, Powell said.
