A Tesla driver told California Highway Patrol investigators his car was in Full Self-Driving mode when it struck and killed a 71-year-old pedestrian on Interstate 80.
The driver, a 26-year-old San Francisco man, remained at the Vallejo crash scene after the collision early Thursday morning. The victim, a Vallejo resident whose name authorities have not released, died at the location near the I-780 interchange after emergency personnel responded at 2:34 a.m.
CHP officers reviewed footage showing the pedestrian walking from the right shoulder toward the center divider, directly 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,” the CHP said in a statement. “Despite these evasive actions, the right front portion of the Tesla struck the individual.”
The impact was not the only blow the man suffered. While lying in the traffic lanes, he was struck by at least one additional vehicle, authorities said. None of those other motorists stopped to cooperate with investigators, and the CHP has not identified them.
The Tesla driver, traveling at approximately 70 mph according to the source report, stopped and spoke with investigators. The CHP has not stated whether the Full Self-Driving system contributed to the crash.
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system can steer, change lanes and navigate roads and highways, but it is not fully autonomous and requires a driver to remain alert and ready to take control. Under California law, drivers remain responsible for safely operating their vehicles even when using automated driving assistance systems.
The incident follows another Tesla collision involving the same driver-assistance technology by mere days. A 22-year-old Sacramento man who claimed he was asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla with Full Self-Driving engaged allegedly slammed into a CHP cruiser at freeway speeds, seriously injuring two officers in that separate crash.
What prompted the 71-year-old man to cross the busy interstate in the middle of the night remains unknown. The CHP continues to investigate the fatal Vallejo collision.
“The Solano Area CHP extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time,” the agency said.
The CHP investigation is ongoing.