The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) is investigating a “violent” crash that concerned a Tesla sedan and a tractor trailer late final week in Detroit. Investigators haven’t but stated whether or not Tesla’s Autopilot, FSD or FSD beta might have contributed to the crash.

The NHTSA stated Monday in a press release, “NHTSA is conscious of the violent crash that occurred on March 11 in Detroit involving a Tesla and a tractor trailer. We’ve launched a Particular Crash Investigation workforce to analyze the crash.” Reuters beforehand reported the probe.

The Detroit police division stated in an e-mail that the crash occurred when a Tesla piloted by “an unknown male driver” hit a semi-truck and “turned wedged beneath the trailer.” A passenger within the automotive is in vital situation, and the circumstances of the accident nonetheless beneath investigation.

The NHTSA has beforehand launched into probes into greater than a dozen crashes that had been thought to contain Tesla’s superior driver help methods.

These methods embody Tesla’s commonplace Autopilot package deal, and a extra superior choice marketed as Full Self-Driving, which is offered at present for $10,000. The corporate’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (or FSD) expertise don’t make Tesla autos protected for operation and not using a driver on the wheel. Some prospects who buy the FSD choice additionally get entry to a “beta” model to attempt the latest options which are being added to the system earlier than all bugs are labored out.

Investigators haven’t but stated whether or not any of those methods had been in use throughout or simply earlier than the March 11 crash in Detroit. Nonetheless, Tesla autos with Autopilot have collided with stationary objects and huge autos, together with tractor trailers and hearth vans, on a number of events.

A 50-year-old, Jeremy Beren Banner of Lake Price, Florida, died when his Mannequin 3 on Autopilot struck the facet of a semi-trailer in Florida on March 1, 2019, ensuing within the roof of his automotive being sheared off because it handed beneath.

Tesla’s Autopilot system, whereas it has modified considerably through the years, has been a topic of regulatory scrutiny since 2016 when an proprietor named Joshua Brown died driving his Tesla Mannequin S with Autopilot engaged round Gainsville, Florida. The automobile additionally collided with a tractor trailer.

One other federal automobile security watchdog that provides suggestions to NHTSA, the Nationwide Transportation Security Board, lately known as for clear and stringent rules for automated driving methods at a federal stage. The board has pointed to Tesla’s strategy to automated driving methods as a cause why stronger security necessities and clear regulation are wanted.