Federal automobile security regulators initiated a brand new, particular crash investigation right into a deadly collision that concerned a Tesla Mannequin S sedan and a hearth truck in Walnut Creek, California final month, CNBC has confirmed.

The motive force of the Tesla died, their passenger was critically injured, and 4 firefighters who had been contained in the impacted fireplace truck had been taken to a hospital following the crash, in line with information obtained by CNBC from the California Freeway Patrol and the Contra Costa County Hearth Division.

The Related Press first reported on NHTSA’s particular investigation.

In line with fireplace division information following the incident on Feb. 18, the hearth truck was parked in the midst of an interstate freeway with a purpose to shield different first responders who had been towing a disabled automobile from the world on the time the Tesla veered into it.

The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA), and the California Freeway Patrol (CHP) are every investigating what triggered the crash, individually.

The CHP wrote in an assertion following the crash, “It’s unclear if drug or alcohol affect is an element on this crash. It was unable to be decided on the scene if the Tesla was being operated with any driver help or automation activated on the time of the crash.” 

Each CHP and NHTSA need to know whether or not Tesla’s driver help techniques, that are marketed as Autopilot and Full Self-Driving choices within the US, triggered the crash.

All new Tesla autos within the US include an ordinary driver help bundle known as Autopilot. Clients who pay Tesla a month-to-month subscription charge of $199 or $15,000 up entrance may receive extra driver help options as a part of a premium bundle known as FSD, which stands for Full Self-Driving. Tesla permits FSD clients to join FSD Beta, as nicely, a solution to take a look at new options that haven’t been totally de-bugged but on public roads.

Regardless of their model names, Tesla doesn’t make a driverless automobile or system. The corporate cautions drivers to maintain their arms on the wheel, and be able to take over steering or braking at any second.

The brand new particular crash investigation is a part of an in depth NHTSA probe of Tesla’s driver help techniques, and the way they carry out round parked first responder autos.

In line with information on the company’s web site, NHTSA opened a “preliminary analysis” of Tesla’s Autopilot techniques on August 13, 2021. “The investigation opening was motivated by an accumulation of crashes during which Tesla autos, working with Autopilot engaged, struck stationary in-road or roadside first responder autos tending to pre-existing collision scenes.”

In line with the NHTSA report, a minimum of 14 Teslas have crashed into first responder autos whereas utilizing the Autopilot system.

NHTSA expanded their probe to an “engineering evaluation” in spring of 2022, with a purpose to decide if Tesla’s techniques could, “exacerbate human components or behavioral security dangers by undermining the effectiveness of the motive force’s supervision.”

In lay phrases, NHTSA is attempting to determine if Tesla’s Autopilot, FSD and different driver help options trigger drivers to turn out to be so distracted from the highway that they might drive extra safely with out them.

Tesla didn’t reply to a request for remark. NHTSA doesn’t touch upon open investigations.