ORLANDO, Fla. — A Tesla using its partially automated driving system crashed into a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser on a Central Florida interstate Saturday morning, officials said.
The incident occurred on Interstate 4 in downtown Orlando shortly before 5 a.m. EDT, according to The Associated Press.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a trooper had stopped to help a driver whose SUV broke down, WFTV reported.
Happening now: Orange County. Trooper stopped to help a disabled motorist on I-4. When Tesla driving on “auto” mode struck the patrol car. Trooper was outside of car and extremely lucky to have not been struck. #moveover. WB lanes of I-4 remain block as scene is being cleared. pic.twitter.com/w9N7cE4bAR
— FHP Orlando (@FHPOrlando) August 28, 2021
While assisting the SUV driver, the trooper dodged out of the way when the Tesla, driving west on I-4, crashed into the FHP cruiser, the television station reported.
A 27-year-old man in the Tesla and the driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries, the AP reported.
The westbound lanes of I-4 were closed for several hours, according to WFTV.
Earlier this month, the U.S. government opened a formal investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot driving system after several collisions involving parked emergency vehicles.
Tesla did not immediately respond to an email sent to its press address, the AP reported.
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