Federal car security regulators initiated a brand new, particular crash investigation right into a deadly collision that concerned a Tesla Mannequin S sedan and a firetruck in Walnut Creek, California, final month, CNBC has confirmed.

The motive force of the Tesla died, a passenger was critically injured and 4 firefighters who have been contained in the firetruck have been taken to a hospital following the crash, based on data obtained by CNBC from the California Freeway Patrol and the Contra Costa County Fireplace Division.

The Related Press first reported on the particular investigation by the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration.

Based on fireplace division data following the incident on Feb. 18, the firetruck was parked in the midst of an interstate freeway so as to defend different first responders who have been towing a disabled car from the world on the time the Tesla car veered into it.

NHTSA and CHP have every opened separate investigations into the crash.

The CHP wrote in an assertion following the deadly incident, “It’s unclear if drug or alcohol affect is an element on this crash. It was unable to be decided on the scene if the Tesla was being operated with any driver help or automation activated on the time of the crash.” 

Each CHP and NHTSA wish to know whether or not Tesla’s driver help programs, that are marketed as Autopilot and Full Self-Driving choices in the US, brought on the crash.

All new Tesla automobiles within the U.S. include a normal driver help package deal known as Autopilot. Prospects who pay Tesla a month-to-month subscription charge of $199 or $15,000 upfront also can get hold of extra driver help options as a part of a premium package deal known as FSD, which stands for Full Self-Driving. Tesla permits FSD clients to enroll in FSD Beta as properly, which is a method to check new options that haven’t been absolutely debugged on public roads.

Regardless of their model names, Tesla doesn’t make a driverless car or system. The corporate cautions drivers to maintain their palms on the wheel, and be able to take over steering or braking at any second.

The brand new particular crash investigation is a part of an intensive NHTSA probe of Tesla’s driver help programs, and the way they carry out round parked first responder automobiles.

Based on data on the company’s web site, NHTSA opened a “preliminary analysis” of Tesla’s Autopilot programs on Aug. 13, 2021. “The investigation opening was motivated by an accumulation of crashes during which Tesla automobiles, working with Autopilot engaged, struck stationary in-road or roadside first responder automobiles tending to pre-existing collision scenes,” it mentioned.

Based on the NHTSA report, a minimum of 14 Teslas have crashed into first responder automobiles whereas utilizing the Autopilot system.

NHTSA expanded the probe to an “engineering evaluation” in spring of 2022, so as to decide if Tesla’s programs might “exacerbate human elements or behavioral security dangers by undermining the effectiveness of the driving force’s supervision.”

In lay phrases, NHTSA is attempting to find out if Tesla’s Autopilot, FSD and different driver-assistance options trigger motorists to turn out to be so distracted from the highway that they might drive extra safely with out them.

Tesla didn’t reply to a request for remark. NHTSA doesn’t touch upon open investigations.