Recently, relevant media exposed a piece of news about a Tesla employee who died in a car accident while driving a Tesla model 3. Once the incident was exposed, it triggered discussions among many car enthusiasts.
So what are the causes and consequences of this incident? What are the recent developments? Let’s explain it in detail below.
The driver was killed in the flames
This incident did not happen recently, but in August 2022. According to the Washington Post, Tesla recruiter Hans von Ohain and his friend Erik Rossiter were driving their Tesla Model 3 back from the outskirts of Denver when the accident occurred.
According to a friend of the person involved, the car involved in the accident was using the fsd beta test version, which is Tesla’s driving assistance system. During the driving process, the system controlled the steering of the vehicle many times. The two played a total of 21 golf matches that day, during which they drank. On the way back, the vehicle deviated from the established road and crashed into a big tree on the side of the road. The flames immediately engulfed everything, which directly led to the death of Hans von Ohain. , the deceased’s friend Erik Rossiter was able to escape by chance in this accident. Based on the 911 dispatch call records exclusively revealed by The Washington Post, we learned that Erik Rossiter stated to the first responders after the accident: Hans von Ohain was using the Tesla's autopilot function at the time, and the vehicle ran off the roadbed. When the police investigated the accident scene, they found that the vehicle in the accident tried to brake before the impact, but there were still tire marks on the ground after the impact, indicating that the vehicle in the accident still had power, which was consistent with the use of the driving assistance function.
drunk driving + no fsd installed?
After the accident, the police conducted an autopsy on the driver Hans von Ohain. The investigation results showed that the cause of death of Hans von Ohain was excessive smoke inhalation and burns. At the same time, his blood alcohol content was as high as about 0.26%, which was three times higher than the limit set by local laws and regulations. More than times, so the police believe that drunkenness is the main reason for this accident. At the same time, the police also conducted an in-depth investigation into the possible role of fsd beta version in the accident.
Due to multiple factors, Hans von Ohain’s widow Nora Bass wants Tesla to bear some responsibility for her husband’s death. She said: “No matter how drunk he (Hans von Ohain) was, Musk claimed This car can drive itself and is inherently better than humans. We were sold into a false sense of security." However, because Hans von Ohain's drunk driving behavior is a certainty, Nora Bass has been unable to find someone willing to take on the case. lawyer.
The most important issue in this incident is how to divide the responsibilities. Is Hans von Ohain fully responsible, or should Tesla bear part of the responsibility? Faced with the continued fermentation of public opinion, Musk finally couldn't sit still. He recently posted a message on social media, mentioning: This car does not have FSD software downloaded at all. This is a pity. If FSD is installed, Maybe, just maybe this tragedy could have been avoided. Musk’s attitude is very clear and he is determined not to take the blame. Has Tesla already mastered the key evidence? The Washington Post said one thing, and Musk said another. It is still unclear which one is right and which one is wrong. We can only wait for the subsequent investigation results.
Uncle Che’s summary
If Tesla’s driving assistance system is not involved, then this incident can be simply classified as a drunk driving accident. Tesla stated that the company will actively cooperate with relevant departments in a comprehensive investigation to find out the truth.
fsd, as a pioneer in autonomous driving technology, has indeed brought revolutionary changes to the entire industry. Its existence has also given drivers a more comfortable and convenient travel experience. However, in the early stages of technological development, fsd still has many problems. and hidden dangers. If we do not actively summarize past experiences and lessons, strengthen safety measures, and optimize the adaptability of the system in the real road environment, then tragedies will only happen again and again.Finally, Uncle Che hopes that this incident will attract more people to pay attention to and think about our autonomous driving technology. At the same time, Uncle Che also calls on relevant departments to carry out stricter management and supervision of autonomous driving technology to ensure the safety and interests of the majority of users.
