WASHINGTON — Detroit police stated Tuesday they don’t imagine Tesla’s driver-assistance system Autopilot was in use throughout a crash final week of a Tesla that grew to become wedged beneath a tractor-trailer and left a passenger in vital situation.

On Monday, NHTSA stated it was conscious of the “violent crash” in Detroit on March 11 and a Special Crash Investigation team would investigate.

Detroit Police Assistant Chief David LeValley stated Tuesday at a press briefing “that each one indications” are that the Tesla was not in Autopilot mode on the time, citing statements made by the motive force and video proof exhibiting some evasive maneuvers earlier than the crash.

The passenger continues to be hospitalized whereas the motive force, who was beforehand hospitalized, is being charged with reckless driving, LeValley stated, including that velocity was a big issue within the crash.

NHTSA has beforehand launched at the least 14 particular crash investigation groups following Tesla crashes that had been suspected of being tied to its Autopilot driver help system, however has taken no motion towards the automaker on account of these probes.

NHTSA investigators will meet with Detroit police later this week to assessment information from the automobile’s information recorder, LeValley stated.

Tesla didn’t reply to requests for remark.

Autopilot has been engaged in at the least three Tesla automobiles concerned in deadly U.S. crashes since 2016.

NHTSA and the Nationwide Transportation Security Board have probed different crashes wherein a Tesla struck a trailer, together with two deadly crashes in Florida.

Tesla advises drivers they have to preserve their palms on the steering wheel and concentrate whereas utilizing Autopilot. Nonetheless, some Tesla drivers say they can keep away from placing their palms on the wheel for prolonged intervals when utilizing Autopilot.