It was reported in June last year that a Tesla driver was killed when the car’s Autopilot semi-autonomous driving feature was activated. It was the first known fatality in a Tesla car so naturally, it was a big deal. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration launched an investigation into the incident which has now been completed. The investigation has ended without demanding a recall.
Reuters reports that the federal investigation into the fatal accident that involved a Tesla Model S crashing when Autopilot was activated has been concluded today and that no vehicle recalls have been ordered by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
The crash occurred on May 7th, 2016 when Joshua Brown’s Model S slammed into a tractor trailer at a highway intersection. The company said that the car’s Autopilot system had been unable to distinguish between a trailer crossing the highway and a large 18-wheel truck.
Reports also suggested that while Autopilot was engaged, Brown may have been watching a Harry Potter movie behind the wheel. The Florida highway patrol did say later that a portable DVD player was found in the vehicle after the crash.
The NHTSA is due to hold a press briefing at 12PM ET today to further discuss the findings of its investigation which is why details about the conclusions of the investigation are slim at this point in time.
Tesla is yet to comment on the conclusion of this investigation.