03 February 2024 , 12:00
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A Tesla taxi reportedly struck a pedestrian with the driver claiming it was allegedly "on autopilot" in the heart of New York City.
The 2023 Tesla, driven by a 63-year-old man, first collided with a parked vehicle before crashing through a barricade and onto the sidewalk, where it struck a 31-year-old male pedestrian, authorities said. The incident unfolded at around 10.15pm Thursday on East 46th Street and Vanderbilt Avenue in Manhattan.
According to eyewitnesses, the Tesla then continued its path, hitting the side of a building before ultimately crashing on the next corner. The driver remained at the scene, and as of now, no arrests have been made, authorities reported.
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Details surrounding the driver's claim that the car was on autopilot could not be immediately confirmed, as the incident remains under investigation. The 31-year-old pedestrian was rushed to NYC Health and Hospitals/Bellevue and is in stable condition.
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Footage shared online depicted the injured pedestrian lying on the ground, audibly stating that he was "hit" during the incident. A 24-year-old male passenger was inside the Tesla at the time of the crash, and police were seen attempting to restore order in the chaotic aftermath.
A 19-year-old man present at the scene was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for obstructing traffic and possession of a controlled substance, according to authorities. Police clarified that this arrest was not related to the Tesla crash incident.
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It comes just as Tesla is recalling nearly all of the vehicles it has sold in the US, which amount to around 2.2 million vehicles, due to small warning lights on the instrument panel, posing a risk of increased crash incidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is intensifying scrutiny on the electric vehicle maker, and an investigation into Tesla steering problems has been upgraded to an engineering analysis.
The recall covers various models from 2012 to 2024, and an online software update will address the font size issue in brake, park, and antilock brake warning lights. Despite Tesla already releasing the update, NHTSA found the problem during a routine safety audit on January 8. No crashes or injuries related to the issue have been reported.
Tesla's stock has been declining, and this recall follows a recent one in December prompted by NHTSA for updating software related to the Autopilot system. Critics argue that the recalls address symptoms but not the underlying issues of Autopilot's effectiveness, and safety experts highlight concerns with Tesla's driver monitoring system. In a separate recall, over 1.6 million Tesla vehicles exported to China are being recalled for problems with automatic assisted steering and door latch controls.
The company faces an upgraded investigation into steering issues, with numerous complaints about loss of steering control in certain models. The NHTSA has received reports of drivers experiencing difficulties turning the steering wheel, with some incidents resulting in collisions or blocked intersections.