A Jeep plowed through an intersection in Nevada, hitting a Tesla. The Tesla immediately sped away from the scene. Its driver managed to get the EV under control, but they soon realized the Jeep had driven away, too. No word yet on whether the Tesla’s Autopilot or Full Self-Drive mode was enabled during the crash. Check out the video!
Tesla driver dies after slamming into fire truck
Vehicle manufacturer Tesla, owned by Elon Musk, is facing more scrutiny from regulators as yet another Model S crashed over the weekend. The car’s model is currently the subject of a recall over fears that the Full-Self Driving beta mode can fail.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is now initiating an investigation and is asking Tesla for additional details. There have been numerous situations where a Tesla vehicle crashed under suspicious circumstances.
Read on for details on how the crash happened and what is being done to prevent further incidents.
Deadly Tesla crash
Over the weekend, the Contra Costa County fire department explained in a tweet that a Tesla Model S crashed into a fire truck in Walnut Creek, California. The fire truck was blocking a section of the I-680 to shield emergency workers dealing with a separate crash when the incident happened.
In the released photos, the Model S is destroyed, resulting in the death of the driver and severe injuries to a passenger. At the time of writing, it’s unclear if the driver was using the Full-Self Driving (FSD) beta mode.
The recall we mentioned earlier involves 362,758 Teslas equipped with FSD, and the NHTSA warns that, among other things, the system can:
- Cause cars to travel straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane.
- Enter a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop.
- Go through a yellow traffic light into an intersection without proper caution.
According to Reuters, the NHTSA is launching a full-scale investigation into the crash and previous accidents and has requested more data from Tesla.
Is your Tesla part of a recall?
If you own a Tesla and are worried about safety, here is a list of the most recently recalled models:
- 2016-2023 Model S.
- 2016-2023 Model X.
- 2017-2023 Model 3.
- 2020-2023 Model Y.
Over 160K vehicles from Volkswagen and Mercedes have been recalled
When a manufacturer releases a product to the public, they’re responsible for any defects or overlooked issues. These problems can range from a minor inconvenience to a deadly flaw and could affect thousands or even millions of units.
Protect your noggin
🚴🏼 Do you ride a bike or ski? I do and wanted to pass this along: Your helmet should include a Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS). MIPS helmets are a bit more expensive, but in a crash, they absorb all the shock so your brain doesn’t.
- Budget option for my fellow bike riders.
- This one (17% off) includes front and back headlights, plus blinkers.
- For kids who love to ride their bikes (25% off).
- Kiddo helmet/goggle combo for the slopes.
- Perfect for the entire snowboarding family.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Have a kiddo between the ages of 7 to 12 in the family? Share Google’s Be Internet Awesome, a crash course in internet safety and smarts. There are even slides for teachers or community or church leaders to share.
Company you've never heard of brought down the world
A routine software update ended up causing millions of computers worldwide to crash with the infamous blue screen of death. Here’s the scoop — and how it impacts you.
Uber-sneaky maneuver: John and Georgia McGinty sustained severe injuries in a 2022 Uber crash, but they can’t sue Uber. Why? Because they forfeited their right under the Seventh Amendment when their 12-year-old daughter ordered a pizza on Uber Eats. New Jersey’s Supreme Court upheld Uber’s arbitration clause, leaving the couple burdened with significant medical debt and no option for a jury trial.
33% of rideshare drivers have had a crash on the job
Phone use, unruly passengers and long hours are all crash culprits. Definitely buckle up.
Can't access Outlook? Here's the fix until Microsoft patches it
Google’s Gmail is one of the most popular email services in the world. But the tech giant is known for tracking your every move. If you want more privacy, there are options. Tap or click here for details on a Gmail alternative focused on privacy.
Buy or build a PC in the past two years? If your PC has a 13th- or 14th-gen Intel CPU (like the Core i5-13400 or Core i9-14900K), Intel might owe you a new chip. They’re releasing an update this month for the crash-prone chips and extending its warranty by two years. If your PC is already crashing, the update won’t help. Reach out to Intel or your PC manufacturer.
💥 Got hit and ran: A Jeep plowed through an intersection in Nevada, hitting a Tesla. The Tesla immediately sped away from the scene. Its driver managed to get the EV under control, but they soon realized the Jeep had driven away, too. No word yet on whether the Tesla’s Autopilot or Full Self-Drive mode was enabled during the crash. Here’s the video.
BMW is recalling 394,000-plus vehicles: The cars all have Takata-made airbag inflators that could explode in a crash. Affected models include 2006-2011 3 Series sedans, 2006-2012 3 Series sports wagons and 2009-2011 3 Series 335d sedans. Questions about a free replacement? Call BMW at (800) 525-7417 or download the app.
⚠️ Toyota and Lexus recall: Over 100,000 Tundra trucks and Lexus cars (model years 2022 and 2023) are crash risks. Dangerous machine debris might’ve been left in the engines. Toyota will reach out to owners by the end of July, or you can be proactive and pop your registration number into this dedicated page. Yup, it’s a double on Tundra.
Researchers found playing 20 minutes of a certain computer game after a car accident or other trauma can reduce intrusive memories in the coming weeks. Is it … A.) Solitaire, B.) Pac-Man, C.) Tetris or D.) Minesweeper?
Toyota recall: Over 55,000 Prius and Prius HEV models (2023 and 2024) have a scary flaw — water can short-circuit rear door latches, causing the doors to open while driving or in a crash. Have one? Turn on the “auto-lock feature” when shifting out of park. Toyota says a fix is coming soon, so contact your dealership.
Be AI aware: Facebook’s new algorithm is filling people’s feeds with AI-generated images, and older adults are falling hard for their tricks. Quick crash course: Look for unnaturally smooth textures, gibberish text, and unusual teeth and fingers. I do a deep dive in tomorrow’s newsletter about spotting election fakes online, so be sure you don’t miss it.
🚘 ‘Cause most schools don’t teach driver’s ed anymore: Put a tracker in the car, teach your kids about distracted driving, and sign them up for B.R.A.K.E.S. It’s a free, three-hour, in-person defensive driving course for teens founded by drag racer Doug Herbert after his two young sons died in a crash.
More EV dangers revealed this week
EV batteries make cars heavier. What does this mean in the event of a crash? I’ll explain in this one-minute podcast.