A Tesla traveling in Full Self-Driving mode struck and killed a 71-year-old man as he crossed Interstate 80 in Vallejo, California, at about 2:30 AM on Thursday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The California Highway Patrol said it reviewed dashcam video from the Tesla before releasing its account of the collision.
According to the CHP's statement to media outlets, the footage showed the Tesla's brakes being applied as the vehicle steered to the left in an attempt to avoid the pedestrian. The right front portion of the car struck the man despite those evasive actions. The Tesla driver stopped and remained at the scene.
Authorities believe at least one other vehicle hit the pedestrian after the Tesla, the Chronicle reported. Apart from the Tesla driver, no other drivers stopped. The CHP's Solano Area office is asking anyone who witnessed the accident or has information about it to contact the agency.
The fatal collision is the second recent incident on I-80 involving a Tesla in FSD mode. Last week, a driver told authorities he was asleep and using FSD when his Tesla crashed into a police car that was stopped at the scene of an accident. After that incident, the CHP cautioned drivers that Full Self-Driving is not fully autonomous despite its name, and that the technology does not relieve drivers of their responsibility to operate their vehicles safely.
The death comes as Tesla's driver-assistance features face continued scrutiny from US regulators and consumers. Tesla markets FSD as a system that can handle driving tasks, while the CHP's warning underscores that drivers are expected to remain attentive and in control. The investigation into Thursday's collision is ongoing, and the CHP has not identified the pedestrian or the Tesla driver.
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