Tesla Driver Killed in Florida Autopilot Crash Was Speeding, Feds Say

WILLISTON, FL — The National Transportation Safety Board has issued some preliminary findings related to the first fatal crash involving a motorist driving a Tesla Model S using the autopilot feature. While the agency stopped short of saying what likely caused the crash, it did note the vehicle was speeding at the time of impact.

NTSB said the vehicle’s system performance data indicated the Model S was traveling at a speed of 74 mph just before impact. The posted speed limit for the road where the crash occurred was 65 mph.

“The car’s system performance data also revealed the driver was using the advanced driver assistance features Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer lane keeping assistance,” a statement from NTSB said. “The car was also equipped with automatic emergency braking that is designed to automatically apply the brakes to reduce the severity of or assist in avoiding frontal collisions.”

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Tuesday’s report involves only preliminary findings, NTSB stressed. There is no timeline set for the release of a final report. The agency, however, said it typically takes about a year from the time a preliminary report is released for a finalized version to be completed.

The accident in question occurred on May 7 near Williston, Florida, along a stretch of U.S. 27A. Joshua Brown, 45, of Ohio was driving a 2015 Tesla that collided with a 53-foot-long semitrailer that was being hauled by a 2014 Freightliner Cascadia.

Brown’s car reportedly went under the trailer. The Tesla’s top was sheered off in the crash when the trailer reportedly attempted to make a left turn in front of the car. The car’s roof struck the underside of the trailer. The vehicle reportedly passed through and smashed into two fences and hit a power pole.

Brown died at the scene. His death is the only known fatality that has occurred with autopilot engaged in any Model S sold, Tesla reported.

Tesla issued a statement on its website following the May crash. The company said, in part:

What we know is that the vehicle was on a divided highway with Autopilot engaged when a tractor trailer drove across the highway perpendicular to the Model S. Neither Autopilot nor the driver noticed the white side of the tractor trailer against a brightly lit sky, so the brake was not applied. The high ride height of the trailer combined with its positioning across the road and the extremely rare circumstances of the impact caused the Model S to pass under the trailer, with the bottom of the trailer impacting the windshield of the Model S. Had the Model S impacted the front or rear of the trailer, even at high speed, its advanced crash safety system would likely have prevented serious injury as it has in numerous other similar incidents.

Tesla has yet to issue a statement following the NTSB's release of its preliminary report.