Two people from California’s Central Coast died Wednesday when their 2015 Tesla crashed into a tractor-trailer on the Florida Interstate, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
According to the outlet, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said the Tesla crashed “for reasons unknown” when it mysteriously drifted into the Paynes Prairie Rest Area and struck the back of a parked cargo plane carrying Walmart products. The vehicle was driven by a 66-year-old woman; A 67-year-old man was in the passenger seat.
According to FHP officials investigating the accident, it’s still unclear whether the vehicle was on autopilot, how fast it was going, or if drugs or alcohol were involved. Tesla crashes are not uncommon, which is precisely why billionaire Elon Musk’s company is now embroiled in an investigation led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Verge says NHTSA is investigating this incident and another fatal accident that reportedly took place in San Diego on June 7, when a drunk driver’s 2018 Model 3 blew up, hitting and killing a woman.
While it’s not yet confirmed if the Teslas were on autopilot in both accidents, the Washington Post says its software was implicated in 273 reported accidents over the past year — accounting for a staggering 70% of the 392 total accidents involving automated driving systems and causing the most fatalities and serious injuries.
NHTSA says they are in talks with Tesla about the Florida incident. FHP officials also say the department’s investigation is ongoing.
“FHP encourages all motorists (regardless of what type of vehicle, moped, bicycle, tractor trailer, etc. operating) to operate that vehicle as recommended by the manufacturers and to treat all other vehicles on the road with care and consideration, as per Required by federal and state laws,” they wrote.