Tesla in Self-driving Mode Kills 71-year-old Man in California

A 71-year-old pedestrian has been killed after a Tesla operating in full self-driving mode struck him on a California freeway.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said the crash occurred early Thursday on Interstate 80 near the Interstate 780 interchange in Vallejo.

According to the New York Post, the driver, a 26-year-old man from San Francisco, told investigators that the Tesla was operating in full self-driving mode when it hit the pedestrian.

The CHP said video footage reviewed by investigators showed the pedestrian walking from the right shoulder towards the centre divider and into the Tesla’s path.

“The video showed the Tesla’s brakes being applied as the vehicle steered to the left in an effort to avoid the pedestrian. Despite these evasive actions, the right front portion of the Tesla struck the individual,” the agency said.

Authorities said the pedestrian was subsequently struck by at least one other vehicle while lying in the traffic lanes.

The Tesla driver stopped at the scene, but the other motorists involved in the crash did not remain to cooperate with investigators. Authorities have yet to identify the other driver or drivers.

CHP officers responded to the crash at 2:34am, where emergency personnel determined that the Vallejo resident had sustained fatal injuries.

Authorities have not established why the man was crossing the freeway or whether the Tesla’s full self-driving system contributed to the crash.

The Solano Area CHP expressed condolences to the victim’s family and friends.

The fatal collision comes days after a 22-year-old man from Sacramento allegedly crashed a Tesla into a CHP cruiser at freeway speeds while claiming he was asleep behind the wheel with the Full Self-Driving system engaged.

Two officers were seriously injured in that incident.

Tesla’s full self-driving system can steer, change lanes and navigate roads and highways, but it is not fully autonomous. Drivers are required to remain alert and ready to take control of the vehicle.

Under California law, drivers remain responsible for safely operating their vehicles even when using automated driving assistance systems. The CHP is investigating the Vallejo crash.