The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) stated on Wednesday it’s opening a brand new particular investigation right into a February deadly crash in California involving a Tesla Mannequin S the place a sophisticated driver help system was suspected of getting been used.

The company is investigating the crash of a 2014 mannequin 12 months Tesla involving a fireplace truck in Contra Costa County, Calif. The fireplace division stated a Tesla struck certainly one of its hearth vans and the Tesla driver was pronounced lifeless on the scene.

Tesla didn’t instantly remark.

In December, NHTSA stated it had opened two new particular investigations into crashes involving Tesla automobiles the place superior driver help techniques are suspected to have been in use.

Since 2016, NHTSA has opened greater than three dozen Tesla particular crash investigations the place superior driver help techniques corresponding to driver help system Autopilot had been suspected of getting used with 20 crash deaths reported.

NHTSA usually opens greater than 100 particular crash investigations yearly into rising applied sciences and different potential auto issues of safety which have, as an illustration, beforehand helped to develop security guidelines on air baggage.

In June, NHTSA upgraded to an engineering evaluation its defect probe into 830,000 Tesla automobiles with driver help system Autopilot and involving crashes with parked emergency automobiles together with hearth vans. That step was obligatory earlier than the company might demand a recall.

NHTSA is reviewing whether or not Tesla automobiles adequately guarantee drivers are paying consideration. Beforehand, the company stated proof steered drivers in most crashes below overview had complied with Tesla’s alert technique that seeks to compel driver consideration, elevating questions on its effectiveness.