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AssetID: 40099871

Headline: Tesla Driver Crashes Into Police Car While On 'Autopilot'

Caption: A driver has crashed into a police car while allegedly saying his car was on autopilot. Connecticut State Police described Saturday’s (7 Dec) incident: “During the early morning hours of Saturday, December 7, 2019, Troopers out of Troop G-Bridgeport responded to the area of Interstate 95 Northbound, North of Exit 15 in the city of Norwalk, for a disabled motor vehicle that was occupying the left center lane. “Both Troopers on scene were stopped behind the disabled motor vehicle with their emergency lights activated, with an additional flare pattern behind the cruisers. “While Troopers were waiting for a tow truck for the disabled vehicle, a 2018 Tesla Model 3, bearing CT Reg. MODEL3, traveling northbound struck the rear of one cruiser and then continued north striking the disabled motor vehicle. “The operator of the Tesla continued to slowly travel northbound before being stopped several hundred feet ahead by the second Trooper on scene. The operator of the Tesla stated that he had his vehicle on “auto-pilot” and explained that he was checking on his dog which was in the back seat prior to hitting the collision. “The operator was issued a misdemeanor summons for Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangerment. Fortunately, no one involved was seriously injured, but it is apparent that this incident could have been more severe. “Regardless of your vehicles capabilities, when operating a vehicle your full attention is required at all times to ensure safe driving. “According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, although a number of vehicles have some automated capabilities, there are no vehicles currently for sale that are fully automated or self-driving.”

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