Photo: Screenshot
Sadly, the first question people ask nowadays whenever a Tesla vehicle is involved in a crash isn't "is everybody OK?" but "was the Autopilot activated?" Well, just to get that out of the way (and probably lose a few readers in the process), the answer is "no."
It wasn't confirmed by Tesla or the officials yet, but according to initial reports the probability of the electric sedan running in a semi-autonomous mode at the time of the crash are minimal. It also looks like the fault lies entirely with the driver of the big rig who, according to Jalopnik, is assumed to have fallen asleep.
The accident did happen at a time when most people haven't left their beds - around 5 a.m. - so fatigue is definitely a possibility. The source quoted by the website also claims that the 18-wheeler ran a red light before colliding with the Model S and ending up in its final resting position.
Both drivers have been taken to a local hospital for treatment and supervision, but both are out of any immediate danger. However, the crash could have ended a lot worse had the truck not fallen on its side. Looking at the accident scene, it appears that the semi went off the road after hitting the Model S, going up a grassy embankment and into the yard of a nearby residential property.
The angle at which the truck approached the slope caused it to tip over, drastically reducing its speed. Had it continued to roll on its wheels, it is very likely it would have driven into the small house, possibly injuring those inside. The wet grass and the driver's laggy response (assuming he was indeed just waking up) would have made stopping the rig doubtful. Also, the truck's diesel tanks ruptured, which made the situation even more dangerous.
But the real talking point here is the Tesla Model S' resilience. WPVI-TV, the channel reporting the story, doesn't specify the speed at which the impact took place, but the sheer mass of the Fed Ex vehicle would have caused problems even at lower velocities. Despite taking a beating, the Model S did a tremendous job at protecting its driver, proving once more the benefits of not having a front-mounted engine - or any kind of engine, for that matter.
The accident did happen at a time when most people haven't left their beds - around 5 a.m. - so fatigue is definitely a possibility. The source quoted by the website also claims that the 18-wheeler ran a red light before colliding with the Model S and ending up in its final resting position.
Both drivers have been taken to a local hospital for treatment and supervision, but both are out of any immediate danger. However, the crash could have ended a lot worse had the truck not fallen on its side. Looking at the accident scene, it appears that the semi went off the road after hitting the Model S, going up a grassy embankment and into the yard of a nearby residential property.
The angle at which the truck approached the slope caused it to tip over, drastically reducing its speed. Had it continued to roll on its wheels, it is very likely it would have driven into the small house, possibly injuring those inside. The wet grass and the driver's laggy response (assuming he was indeed just waking up) would have made stopping the rig doubtful. Also, the truck's diesel tanks ruptured, which made the situation even more dangerous.
But the real talking point here is the Tesla Model S' resilience. WPVI-TV, the channel reporting the story, doesn't specify the speed at which the impact took place, but the sheer mass of the Fed Ex vehicle would have caused problems even at lower velocities. Despite taking a beating, the Model S did a tremendous job at protecting its driver, proving once more the benefits of not having a front-mounted engine - or any kind of engine, for that matter.
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