Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Driver in Tesla Autopilot Crash Ignored Vehicle Warnings

Newly released NTSB reports reveal more details about the May 2016 fatal collision that involved a Tesla Model S in Autopilot mode and a tractor-trailer truck in Florida.

by Staff
June 21, 2017
Driver in Tesla Autopilot Crash Ignored Vehicle Warnings

During the fatal crash, the roof of the Tesla Model S was sheared off. Photo courtesy of NTSB.

2 min to read


During the fatal crash, the roof of the Tesla Model S was sheared off. Photo courtesy of NTSB.

The Tesla Model S driver killed in a Florida crash in May 2016, while the car was in Autopilot mode, was warned seven times by the car to place his hands back on the steering wheel during the 40 minutes preceding the collision, according to newly released reports from the National Transportation Safety Board.

Ad Loading...

Though the NTSB probe of the crash is still ongoing, the agency’s new reports shed additional light on a fatal crash that drew national headlines because the car was in Autopilot mode. This mode relies on advanced driver assistance systems, Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and Autosteer lane keeping, but falls well short of industry criteria for what’s considered a fully automated vehicle. Tesla instructs drivers to stay alert and continue to keep their hands on the steering wheel during Autopilot mode so they can readily take control when necessary.

Ad Loading...

The driver, 40-year-old Joshua Brown of Canton, Ohio, was traveling alone eastbound on US Highway 27A near Williston, Fla., when his Tesla Model S 70D struck and passed under a tractor-trailer truck making a left turn across two lanes. After impact, which sheared off the Tesla vehicle’s roof, the car left the road and continued through a drainage culvert and two wire fences before striking a utility pole, according to NTSB investigators.

Brown died in the crash, but the driver of the commercial truck wasn’t injured. 

NTSB investigators downloaded system performance data from the car’s vehicle recorder and from Tesla’s servers to reconstruct what led to the collision. The Model S was traveling 74 mph at the time of the crash, according to the reports. Brown had engaged Autopilot for 37 of the 41 minutes just before the collision. During those 37 minutes, Brown’s hands were detected on the steering wheel for a total of just 25 seconds.

Brown received a visual cue directing him to put his hands back on the steering wheel seven different times during the 40 minutes leading to the crash. Six of those visual cues also came with a chime warning, according to the reports. The last warning occurred about six minutes prior to the collision.

The NTSB reports just made public do not include analysis, conclusions or recommendations — those will come after the probe is completed.

Ad Loading...

An investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, concluded Jan. 19 of this year, found that the crash wasn’t caused by any safety-related defect. Since the collision, Tesla has updated Autopilot’s steering wheel system for monitoring driver engagement. If a driver fails to respond to cues to keep gripping the steering wheel, the Autopilot mode will no longer be available for the remainder of the drive cycle.

More Safety

Safe Driving on Halloween over spooky fall road
Safety•by Staff•October 25, 2026

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night

This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.

Read More →
a crash test dummy in a car
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 22, 2026

IIHS Crash Avoidance Tests Reveal Safety Gaps in Cargo Vans and Work Trucks

New IIHS crash avoidance ratings show uneven performance among cargo vans and heavy-duty pickups, with most struggling to avoid vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.

Read More →
AN AF news recap thumbnail
Safety•by Faith Howell•October 16, 2026

What’s Next for Fleet? Safety, AI & Industry Recognition | AF News Recap

Could your company's culture be encouraging distracted driving? This week, we're exploring how workplace expectations affect driver safety, what AI, EVs, and autonomous vehicles could mean for the future of fleet management, and how fleet professionals can strengthen their award nominations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
a man driving with a cell phone in his hand.
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 14, 2026

Does Your Fleet's Culture Encourage Distracted Driving?

What happens when the people responsible for enforcing safety rules are the ones setting the wrong example? The answer may reveal why some of the biggest risks to fleet drivers have little to do with what's written in the employee handbook.

Read More →
Motorq Whitepaper Cover - Fleet Managers Ultimate Playbook
Sponsored•October 1, 2026

Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity

Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.

Read More →
An AF news recap thumbnail with a woman pointing at the title "From driver well-being to EV charging"
Safety•by Faith Howell•September 21, 2026

From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap

Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Nexar and nauto logos
Safety•by Staff•September 15, 2026

Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset

Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.

Read More →
Two fleet employees talk beside work trucks beneath the words “Mental Health Is Fleet Safety,” highlighting the connection between employee mental health and fleet safety.
Safety•September 15, 2026

Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program

For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.

Read More →
hands covering toy car with digital widgets surrounding it
Safety•by Chris Brown•September 1, 2026

How Camera Data Can Strengthen a Fleet’s Insurance Renewal

Insights from a commercial insurance carrier and a broker show how fleets can turn video telematic data, driver coaching, and improved claims results into a stronger case at insurance renewal.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An image to reflect an article on how the safest fleets aren't the ones with the most tech.
Safety•August 11, 2026

The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology

You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.

Read More →