When Tesla’s “Full Self‑Driving” Turns the Switch on a Human Life
On May 5, a tragic collision unfolded on a California highway in Fontana: a Tesla Model 3 smashed into an overturned truck, claiming the life of its driver, a 35‑year‑old from Running Springs, while injuring the truck‑driver and a well‑meaning motorist who’d stopped to help.
Police Say Autopilot Was On, but They’re Not 100 % Sure Yet
The Associated Press first reported that police had found the Tesla’s Autopilot engaged before the crash, suggesting the car was cruising hands‑free like an autopilot‑trained driver. But a correction later in the week clarified that “a final determination has not been made as to what driving mode the Tesla was in.” So, the full story is still a mystery.
Reel Footage: The “Hands‑Free” Driver Who Never Died
- A pair of videos, allegedly posted on the victim’s TikTok, show a man confidently steering without touching the wheel.
- One clip reads: “What would I do without my full self‑driving Tesla after a long day at work.” The other says: “Coming home from LA after work, thank god, self‑drive,” followed by the all‑time favorite line, “Best car ever!”
- Host most likely: Steven Hendrickson (our fictional hero of 35), though the final verdict on the videos’ authenticity is still pending.
Why This Story Matters
When a car can’t hold a road when a driver’s hands are free can have deadly repercussions. Autonomous tech is still a gray area, and every accident nudges the conversation about safety, regulation, and responsibility toward a new era of driving.
TL;DR
A Tesla’s accidental use of “full self‑drive” technology may have played a part in a fatal crash on a California highway in May. Police are still deciding what driving mode was actually engaged, while the driver’s own TikTok clips painted a picture of a driver laughing in the face of danger.
When Autopilot Met a Fatal Twist
Elon’s words were clear on the Web: Tesla’s Autopilot isn’t a fully autonomous driver‑pause dream. Yet the headlines and a video from a devoted Tesla fan paint a different picture.
The Facebook Mishap
- Hendrickson filmed himself cruising with the “autopilot” button pressed, assuring, “Don’t worry. I’m on autopilot.”
- He even dropped the
embedlink to his video – but fans are left wondering if this was a cautionary example or a reckless showcase.
Family Silence & Tesla’s PR Void
Family members were tight‑jawed and did not comment, while Tesla’s quiet PR team—officially dissolved—was slow to respond. Meanwhile, a Southern California Tesla club posted on social media that Hendrickson was a die‑hard owner who loved his Tesla—but never apologized for the tragedy.
The NHTSA Investigation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is digging into a roll of crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot. Notably:
- The Fontana crash.
- A Texas incident last month that killed two men.
- Over two dozen other incidents, some involving Autos autopilots misreading semi‑trucks.
From 2016 onward, at least three Tesla vehicles operating on Autopilot found themselves in fatal accidents, with two cases where the car was rear‑ended while passing beneath a semi‑truck in Florida.
What’s the Bottom Line?
According to NHTSA, Tesla’s system failed to detect a crossing truck properly, and the driver’s lack of attentiveness added fuel to the mishap. The joint blame is a mix of technology lag and human oversight.
In sum, the “autopilot” label may be a marketing flare, but on the road, it’s still a cue for drivers to keep their eyes on the wheel and ears on the world.
