Tesla Driver Using Autopilot Kills Motorcyclist, Prompting ... - The Verge

Skip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.

The VergeThe Verge logo.
• Tech
• Reviews
• Science
• Entertainment
• AI
• Shopping
• Hamburger Navigation Button

The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.

• Login / Sign Up

closeCloseSearch

• TechExpand
  • Amazon
  • Apple
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Microsoft
  • Samsung
  • Business
  • See all tech
• GadgetsExpand
  • Laptops
  • Phones
  • TVs
  • Headphones
  • Speakers
  • Wearables
  • See all gadgets
• ReviewsExpand
  • Smart Home Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Tablet Reviews
  • Headphone Reviews
  • See all reviews
• AIExpand
  • OpenAI
  • Anthropic
  • See all AI
• Verge ShoppingExpand
  • Buying Guides
  • Deals
  • Gift Guides
  • See all shopping
• PolicyExpand
  • Antitrust
  • Politics
  • Law
  • Security
  • See all policy
• ScienceExpand
  • Space
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Health
  • See all science
• EntertainmentExpand
  • TV Shows
  • Movies
  • Audio
  • See all entertainment
• GamingExpand
  • Xbox
  • PlayStation
  • Nintendo
  • See all gaming
• StreamingExpand
  • Disney
  • HBO
  • Netflix
  • YouTube
  • Creators
  • See all streaming
• TransportationExpand
  • Electric Cars
  • Autonomous Cars
  • Ride-sharing
  • Scooters
  • See all transportation
• Features
• Verge VideoExpand
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
• PodcastsExpand
  • Decoder
  • The Vergecast
  • Version History
• NewslettersExpand
  • The Verge Daily
  • Installer
  • Verge Deals
  • Notepad
  • Optimizer
  • Regulator
  • The Stepback
• Archives
• Store

Subscribe

• Facebook
• Threads
• Instagram
• Youtube
• RSS

The VergeThe Verge logo.Tesla driver using Autopilot kills motorcyclist, prompting another NHTSA investigationComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...

• TeslaClose

  Tesla

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Tesla

• NewsClose

  News

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All News

• TechClose

  Tech

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Tech

Tesla driver using Autopilot kills motorcyclist, prompting another NHTSA investigation

Forty-eight crashes are under investigation, 39 of which involve Tesla vehicles

Forty-eight crashes are under investigation, 39 of which involve Tesla vehicles

by Andrew J. HawkinsClose

Andrew J. Hawkins

Transportation editor

Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

FollowFollow

See All by Andrew J. Hawkins

Jul 27, 2022, 2:24 PM UTC

• Link
• Share

Photo by James Bareham / The VergeAndrew J. HawkinsClose

Andrew J. Hawkins

Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

FollowFollow

See All by Andrew J. Hawkins

is transportation editor with 10+ years of experience who covers EVs, public transportation, and aviation. His work has appeared in The New York Daily News and City & State.

A motorcyclist in Draper, Utah, was killed early Sunday morning when a Tesla driver using Autopilot slammed into the rear of his bike. It is the latest crash involving Tesla’s advanced driver-assist system to draw scrutiny from federal investigators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The incident occurred just after 1AM Sunday on southbound Interstate 15, according to local reports. The motorcyclist, who has not been identified, was traveling southbound near the Salt Lake and Utah County lines when the Tesla approached from behind. The Utah Department of Public Safety said the Tesla driver collided with the back of the motorcycle, throwing the motorcyclist to the ground and killing him instantly.

The Tesla driver collided with the back of the motorcycle, throwing the motorcyclist to the ground and killing him instantly

The Tesla driver, who remained at the scene, informed local officials that they did not see the motorcyclist. The driver was using Autopilot at the time of the crash, authorities said.

The Utah crash is the latest to be added to NHTSA’s list of Special Crash Investigations (SCI), in which the agency collects data beyond what local authorities and insurance companies typically gather at the scene. The agency also examines crashes involving advanced driver-assist systems, like Tesla’s Autopilot, and automated driving systems.

As of July 26th, there are 48 crashes on the agency’s SCI list, 39 of which involved Tesla vehicles. Nineteen people, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, other drivers, and motorcyclists, were killed in those Tesla crashes.

ADAS Cases for OCCI 7-26-22 for Release by ahawkins8223 on Scribd

Beyond the SCI program, NHTSA is also currently looking into 16 crashes in which Tesla owners using Autopilot crashed into stationary emergency vehicles, resulting in 15 injuries and one fatality. Most of these incidents took place after dark, with the software ignoring scene control measures including warning lights, flares, cones, and an illuminated arrow board. The probe was recently upgraded to an “Engineering Analysis,” which is the second and final phase of an investigation before a possible recall.

Tesla tops the government’s list of vehicle crashes that take place while using active driver-assist features, which automakers argue make driving safer. Tesla’s numbers were much higher than those of other companies, most likely due to the fact that it sells more vehicles equipped with Level 2 systems than its rivals. Tesla also collects real-time telematics data from its customers, giving it a much faster reporting process.

From July 20th, 2021, to May 21st, 2022, there were 273 crashes involving Tesla vehicles using Autopilot, according to NHTSA. The EV company’s crashes represent the bulk of the total 392 crashes reported during that period.

Of course, hundreds of car crashes occur every day

Of course, hundreds of car crashes occur every day, many of them fatal. More people died in auto-related crashes last year than in any year since 2005. NHTSA estimates that 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021, a 10.5 percent increase from the 38,824 fatalities in 2020. The deaths include pedestrians, cyclists, and others who may have died during a crash.

Most of these crashes do not involve Tesla vehicles. But Tesla crashes, especially ones involving Autopilot, warrant attention because of the company’s willingness to beta test new software on its customers — and as a result, everyone else in close proximity to those drivers. Tesla is a different kind of company because of the risks it takes in putting advanced technology out in the world and because of the corners it cuts to do so.

When a particular technology is involved in a fatal incident — in this case, Autopilot — it deserves to be examined closely to determine what decisions were made that led to this particular failure. And because Tesla insists that Autopilot makes driving safer when the evidence seems to suggest that the results are way more complicated.

Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.

• Andrew J. HawkinsClose

  Andrew J. Hawkins

  Transportation editor

  Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All by Andrew J. Hawkins

• Autonomous CarsClose

  Autonomous Cars

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Autonomous Cars

• CarsClose

  Cars

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Cars

• Electric CarsClose

  Electric Cars

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Electric Cars

• NewsClose

  News

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All News

• TechClose

  Tech

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Tech

• TeslaClose

  Tesla

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Tesla

• TransportationClose

  Transportation

  Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

  FollowFollow

  See All Transportation

Most Popular

Most Popular

1. Google is letting some people change their @gmail address
2. The 10 best shows to stream on Amazon Prime Video from 2025
3. I re-created Google’s cute Gemini ad with my own kid’s stuffie, and I wish I hadn’t
4. 8 great games for your Steam Deck from 2025
5. Trump’s war on offshore wind faces another lawsuit

The Verge Daily

A free daily digest of the news that matters most.

Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Advertiser Content From

This is the title for the native ad

More in Tesla

Humanoid robots are coming. Eventually?Tesla would have to rein in FSD under new Democratic billTesla misled customers about self-driving features, judge rulesTesla robotaxis spotted on public roads without safety monitorsElon Musk says Tesla drivers can text while driving, but they absolutely should notAnyone want to buy a car that drives itself?Humanoid robots are coming. Eventually?Robert HartDec 21Tesla would have to rein in FSD under new Democratic billAndrew J. HawkinsDec 17Tesla misled customers about self-driving features, judge rulesRobert HartDec 17Tesla robotaxis spotted on public roads without safety monitorsAndrew J. HawkinsDec 15Elon Musk says Tesla drivers can text while driving, but they absolutely should notAndrew J. HawkinsDec 5Anyone want to buy a car that drives itself?Andrew J. HawkinsDec 3Advertiser Content From

This is the title for the native ad

Top Stories

Dec 25I re-created Google’s cute Gemini ad with my own kid’s stuffie, and I wish I hadn’tDec 17The Verge’s 2025 in reviewDec 25Hollywood cozied up to AI in 2025 and had nothing good to show for it1:00 PM UTC8 great games for your Steam Deck from 2025Dec 24The Pluribus finale showed there’s a lot more to the storyDec 21Our favorite stuff of 2025