Update: Tesla in fatal East Bay crash with firetruck was using automated driving system
WALNUT CREEK -- A Tesla that crashed into a fire truck on northbound I-680 in February, killing the driver and injuring a passenger as well as four firefighters was operating on an automated driving system.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Wednesday it has dispatched a special crash investigation team to look into the Feb. 18 crash.
The probe is part of a larger investigation by the agency into Teslas on Autopilot repeatedly crashing into parked emergency vehicles that are tending to other crashes.
Officials with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District said the fire truck was blocking lanes of northbound I-680 near Treat Boulevard in Walnut Creek at the scene of an earlier accident when the Tesla crashed into the truck.
Authorities said the Tesla driver was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the Tesla was extricated and transported to an area hospital. Four firefighters suffered minor injuries and were also transported to the hospital for evaluation. They were released a short time later.
The driver who died was later identified as 31-year-old Pittsburg resident Genesis Mendoza-Martinez.
Contra Costa County Fire posted photos on Twitter from the scene of the crash.
Slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles. Truck 1 was struck by a Tesla while blocking I-680 lanes from a previous accident. Driver pronounced dead on-scene; passenger was extricated & transported to hospital. Four firefighters also transported for evaluation. pic.twitter.com/YCGn8We1bK
— Con Fire PIO (@ContraCostaFire) February 18, 2023
Authorities said the truck was badly damaged and will be out of service for an extended period. Contra Costa Fire warned drivers to slow down when approaching the scene of an accident.
NHTSA is investigating how Tesla's Autopilot system detects and responds to emergency vehicles parked on highways. At least 15 Teslas have crashed into emergency vehicles while using the system.
Authorities said the truck had its lights on and was parked diagonally on northbound lanes of the freeway to protect responders to an earlier accident that did not result in injuries.
The fatal accident occurred around 4 a.m., and it took several hours to clear the freeway. The firetruck had to be towed away.
The Model S was among the nearly 363,000 vehicles Tesla recalled in February because of potential flaws in "Full Self-Driving" a more sophisticated partially automated driving system.
The recall, to be done with an online software update, is aimed at correcting possible problems at intersections and with speed limits.
Despite their names, Tesla has said both systems are advanced driver assist systems and that human drivers must be ready to intervene at all times.
Messages were left Wednesday seeking comment from Tesla, which has disbanded its public relations department.