Tesla In 'Auto Pilot' Plows Into State Police Cruiser In Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — A Tesla Model 3, which the operator said was in "auto-pilot" at the time, smashed into the back of a parked Connecticut State Police cruiser on I-95 in Norwalk early Saturday morning, according to troopers.

No injuries were reported, but the Tesla driver was issued a misdemeanor summons charging him with reckless driving and reckless endangerment.

His identity was not disclosed; he told state police that she was checking on his dog, which was in the backseat, at the time of the crash.

The crash occurred while troopers were stopped behind a disabled vehicle on the left side of the highway "with their emergency lights activated, [and] with an additional flare pattern" behind their vehicles.

"While Troopers were waiting for a tow truck for the disabled vehicle, a 2018 Tesla Model 3, bearing CT Reg. MODEL3, traveling northbound struck the rear of one cruiser and then continued north striking the disabled motor vehicle," wrote state police officials on Facebook.

"The operator of the Tesla continued to slowly travel northbound before being stopped several hundred feet ahead by the second Trooper on scene. The operator of the Tesla stated that he had his vehicle on 'auto-pilot' and explained that he was checking on his dog which was in the back seat prior to hitting the collision."

State police warn drivers that they have to pay attention to the road at all times, whether they are in an assisted-driving vehicle or not.

"According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, although a number of vehicles have some automated capabilities, there are no vehicles currently for sale that are fully automated or self-driving," state police said.