Self-driving Tesla crashes on I-80 in Vallejo, killing 71-year-old pedestrian
A 71-year-old man was fatally struck by a Tesla operating in full self-driving mode on Interstate 80 near Vallejo early Thursday.
California Highway Patrol officers responded to a crash on the westbound side of Interstate 80 near Vallejo at about 2:35 a.m. on Thursday. A 71-year-old pedestrian walked onto the freeway from the right shoulder and entered the traffic lanes, colliding with a Tesla that was in full self-driving mode, according to the driver, a 26-year-old resident of San Francisco. Video from the car’s dashboard shows the vehicle traveling in the second lane at about 70 mph, applying brakes and veering left in an effort to avoid the person, but the right front of the car struck him.
The victim was found dead when responders arrived. Preliminary findings suggest a second vehicle may have hit the pedestrian while he lay in the roadway, though no other drivers stopped. The CHP’s Solano office continues the investigation and is seeking information from any witnesses.
Why it matters
The crash raises urgent questions about the safety of autonomous driving technology and regulatory oversight.
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