US Regulator Probes Texas Tesla Crash Killing Woman, Automated Driving System Implicated

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a special crash investigation following a fatal incident on 19 June in Texas, where a Tesla Model 3 left the road and collided with a residential property. The crash resulted in the death of a woman inside the house, who sustained severe injuries.

Local police reported that the Tesla driver, who was not intoxicated, claimed his vehicle was utilising an automated driving assistance system during the collision. The car reportedly 'entered through the brick residence at a high rate of speed,' according to police statements.

Tesla, owned by Elon Musk, has not issued a statement regarding the crash or the ongoing investigation. The NHTSA's special crash investigations are their most in-depth inquiries, often focusing on emerging automotive technologies to gather data for broader safety improvements.

This investigation follows increased scrutiny of Tesla's 'full self-driving (assisted)' technology, which critics allege is misleading in its capabilities. Earlier this year, the NHTSA expanded a separate investigation into the system's performance in adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, Democratic Senators Edward Markey and Richard Blumenthal recently pressed the NHTSA to investigate the safety risks associated with Tesla's FSD technology, citing concerns over the company's data analysis methods regarding crash outcomes.