A 71-year-old man has died after being struck by a car operating in Full Self-Driving mode while crossing a freeway in Vallejo, California, according to the New York Post.
The collision occurred at approximately 2:35 a.m. on Thursday on westbound Interstate 80, near the Interstate 780 interchange.
According to the report, the vehicle was travelling at about 70 miles per hour when the man entered the freeway from the right shoulder and began crossing towards the central divider.
Dashboard Footage Shows Driver-Assistance System Attempting to Avoid Man
The driver, a 26-year-old man from San Francisco, told the California Highway Patrol that the vehicle was operating in Full Self-Driving mode when it struck the pedestrian.
A preliminary review of the dashboard camera footage showed the vehicle applying its brakes and steering to the left in an attempt to avoid the man.
“The video showed the [vehicle’s] brakes being applied as the vehicle steered to the left in an effort to avoid the pedestrian. Despite these evasive actions, the right front portion of the [vehicle] struck the individual,” the California Highway Patrol said.
Other Vehicles Reportedly Struck Pedestrian After Initial Collision
The man was reportedly struck by at least one additional vehicle while lying on the freeway following the initial collision.
The motorists involved in the subsequent impacts did not stop at the scene, and their identities remain unknown.
The 26-year-old driver remained at the location, cooperated with investigators and provided the dashboard camera footage to authorities.
California Highway Patrol Appeals for Witnesses
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision and is seeking information about the other vehicles that may have struck the pedestrian.
Authorities have appealed to witnesses and anyone with relevant information to contact investigators.
The investigation includes efforts to establish the sequence of events surrounding the initial impact and the subsequent collisions involving the man.
Earlier Interstate 80 Crash Raises Further Safety Concerns
The fatal incident follows another crash on Interstate 80 earlier this month involving a vehicle reportedly operating in Full Self-Driving mode.
In that incident, a driver allegedly fell asleep while using the system before crashing into a California Highway Patrol vehicle, injuring two officers.
Following the incidents, the agency reminded motorists that driver-assistance technology does not remove their responsibility to remain attentive and operate their vehicles safely.
Highway Patrol Warns Drivers Against Relying Entirely on FSD
The California Highway Patrol cautioned motorists against treating Full Self-Driving mode as a substitute for attentive driving.
“Despite the name, FSD is not fully autonomous driving. Even when using the technology, the responsibility for safely operating the vehicle does not leave the driver,” the agency said.
The warning comes as investigators continue examining the fatal collision in Vallejo and seek information that could help identify the motorists who left the scene.
