Tesla driver claims he was asleep while using Full Self‑Driving as his car slammed into CHP patrol vehicles

A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer was among several responders injured after a Tesla Model Y, reportedly operating on the company’s Full Self‑Driving (FSD) system, collided with a police cruiser on a northbound stretch of I‑5 near Sacramento on Thursday.

The vehicle’s owner, identified by local authorities as a 38‑year‑old male, told investigators he had fallen asleep behind the wheel while the car was in FSD mode. He maintained that he had not taken manual control of the vehicle before the impact, a claim that has reignited debate over the technology’s limitations and the responsibilities of drivers who engage it.

According to the CHP, the Tesla struck a police cruiser that was stopped on the shoulder conducting a routine traffic stop. The impact forced the cruiser into a second patrol car, causing damage to both vehicles and resulting in minor injuries to the officers involved. The Tesla driver was treated at the scene for a concussion and was subsequently cited for reckless driving and operating a vehicle while incapacitated.

CHP spokesperson Lieutenant Maria Alvarez emphasized that the incident underscores a persistent misconception about the system’s capabilities. “Despite its name, Full Self‑Driving is not fully autonomous,” Alvarez said in a press briefing. “The technology does not relieve drivers of their responsibility to remain attentive and ready to take control at any moment.” The department’s warning aligns with statements from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has repeatedly cautioned that drivers must keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road when using advanced driver‑assist features.

The crash adds to a growing list of high‑profile accidents involving Tesla’s beta‑tested FSD software. While the company has touted the system’s ability to navigate highways, change lanes, and respond to traffic signals, critics argue that its performance in real‑world conditions remains inconsistent. In 2022, a similar incident in Texas resulted in a fatal collision when a Tesla operating on Autopilot failed to recognize a stopped truck.

Tesla has not yet released a comment on the Sacramento crash, but the company typically advises owners to keep hands on the wheel and remain vigilant. Legal experts suggest that the driver could face civil liability for damages to the patrol vehicles in addition to criminal charges. The CHP is reviewing dash‑cam footage and telemetry data to determine whether the vehicle’s sensors detected the stopped cruiser and how the driver’s lack of engagement may have contributed to the crash.

Regulators are expected to examine the incident as part of a broader assessment of driver‑assist technologies. Lawmakers in California have introduced legislation that would require clearer labeling of autonomous features and stricter enforcement of driver‑attention monitoring. As the debate over the balance between innovation and safety continues, incidents like this highlight the urgent need for clearer guidelines and public education on the limits of so‑called “self‑driving” systems.