Laptop, DVD Player Found Not Running in Tesla Model S After Fatal Crash
Police still determining whether movie was playing during the crash
UPDATE:In a phone call, Sergeant Kim Montes told Motor Trend that investigators found a laptop, computer stand, and portable DVD player inside the vehicle. However, police didn't confirm the devices were found not running after the crash. After 120 days, records of the accident will be complete and then made available to the public.
Investigators found a laptop and DVD player inside the Tesla Model S that crashed in Autopilot mode, killing its driver. But police say that the devices were not found running after the crash, reportsReuters.
Sergeant Kim Montes confirmed this information to the media, adding that investigators still haven't determined whether the driver of the Tesla was using the laptop and DVD player during the crash. Montes said investigators discovered a computer stand inside the Model S, although the laptop wasn't found mounted on the stand after the accident.
The announcement comes several days after the driver of the other vehicle involved in the accident claimed to have heard a movie playing inside the Tesla following the crash. The driver of the truck, Frank Baressi, said he heard a "Harry Potter" movie running, although he wasn't able to see where it was coming from inside the vehicle. Meanwhile, witnesses who saw the aftermath provided different stories as to whether or not a movie was playing.
In a statement last week, Tesla made it clear the Autopilot feature "does not turn a Tesla into an autonomous vehicle and does not allow the driver to abdicate responsibility." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now investigating the crash, which is the first known fatal accident involving Tesla's Autopilot system.
Source: Reuters
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