The driver of a Tesla Model S has admitted to watching a movie earlier in the week when the EV was in Autopilot mode and slammed into the rear of a Dodge Charger patrol car in Nash County, North Carolina.
It is reported that the incident happened at just past midnight on August 26. A Nash County police car was parked on the side of Highway 64 as a deputy and trooper were attending a previous crash when the Tesla slammed into the rear of the cruiser.
CBS 17 reports that the force of the impact pushed the trooper and deputy to the ground, but they avoided injury. The crash caused significant damage to both the Tesla and the Dodge.
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Speaking with authorities after the incident, the driver of the Tesla, identified as Devainder Goli, revealed that he had been watching a movie on his phone while the car was operating in Autopilot mode.
“It was a simple lane closure and then suddenly death was at our footsteps,” Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone said. “It shows automation is never going to take the place of the motoring public paying attention, not texting, not being on the phone, but focusing on what you were doing, that is, driving.”
Goli has been charged with a move over violation and ‘location of television in vehicle.’
Footage taken from the scene shows that the front of the Tesla was destroyed in the crash, while the rear-end of the Dodge Charger was wrecked and one of the wheels was ripped off.