Tesla in ‘auto pilot’ mode hits patrol car, another vehicle on I-4, troopers say

Car ‘narrowly missed’ trooper standing outside vehicle, FHP says

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A Tesla in “auto pilot” mode hit a state trooper’s patrol car and another vehicle on Interstate 4 in Orange County early Saturday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The FHP said the trooper was stopped with his emergency lights activated to help another car that was stopped on the interstate just before 5 a.m.

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According to the crash report, the trooper was out of his car to help move the other vehicle out of the road when the Tesla failed to move over, hitting the patrol car along with the other car.

Troopers said the Telsa “narrowly missed” the trooper. The Tesla driver said the car was on “auto pilot” mode, according to the FHP.

The crash remains under investigation.


About the Authors

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.

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