Detroit Police Blame Driver In Tesla Semi Truck Crash That Causes Seriously Injured Woman

DETROIT – Detroit Police Department assistant chief David LeValley recently spoke to Local 4 News about the crash that happened last Thursday involving a Tesla and tractor trailer in southwest Detroit.

The passenger of the Tesla, 21-year-old Esmeralda Barco, was seriously injured in the crash.

“It turns out that speed was an important factor in the collision. All the indications we have at this point are that the vehicle was not in autopilot mode, but that the driver was in control of the vehicle at the time of the crash, ”said LeValley.

Read: Was it an autopilot or a driver error? The FBI is investigating the Tesla crash on the west side of Detroit

Read more: US sends team to Detroit to investigate Tesla semi crash

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Despite preliminary information provided Tuesday morning, DPD investigators will meet with officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other agencies later in the week to look for clues that may still be under the hood.

“Individuals from that agency, along with the officer in charge of the case here in Detroit and the Michigan police, are going to remove a black box and SD card from that Tesla,” LeValley said.

DPD was unable to say exactly what those cards entail, although the mutilated vehicle is still in their possession.

“We believe that once we look at that black box and download that information along with the information on the SD card, we can definitely determine whether the vehicle was in autopilot mode or not,” he adds. LeValley.

It’s all unrelated to a broader investigation conducted on behalf of the NHTSA to determine whether there is a link with two Florida crashes that also involved Teslas.

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“I understand there are a few other accidents involving Tesla vehicles in other parts of the country,” said LeValley.

Only those accidents were fatal and the self-driving function was used. From now on, all blame will be placed on the person behind the wheel.

“They looked at that and approved the charge today, in which the driver induced reckless driving and serious injury,” said LaValley.

Local 4 News has been informed that the driver will be re-arrested soon. Meanwhile, the investigation is continuing by the NHTSA.

Barco is still fighting for her life and is suffering from brain haemorrhages and serious back injuries.

An online fundraising campaign was created on behalf of the woman. To help the crash victim, click here to donate to the online fundraiser.

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