Tesla Operating in Full Self-Driving Mode Fatally Strikes Pedestrian on I-80 in California

A 71-year-old man was fatally struck around 2:30 AM on Thursday while crossing I-80 in Vallejo, California by a Tesla operating in Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) stated that reviewed dashcam footage from the Tesla showed its brakes being applied as the vehicle steered left to avoid the man, before the right front of the vehicle struck him despite the evasive actions. Authorities believe at least one additional vehicle hit the pedestrian after the initial impact, though only the Tesla driver stopped and remained at the scene while the CHP Solano Area office seeks witnesses. The collision follows a separate I-80 incident last week in which a driver told authorities he was asleep while using FSD when his Tesla crashed into a stopped police car at an accident scene. "Despite its name, full self-driving is not fully autonomous. Technology does not relieve drivers of their responsibility to safely operate their vehicles." — California Highway Patrol