Elon Musk Says Autopilot Wasn’t in Use During Tesla Crash, Slams ‘Legacy Media’

Elon Musk has stated that the Autopilot driver-assist system was not engaged during a recent fatal Tesla crash in Texas. The company's CEO reportedly made these remarks on social media, pushing back against what he characterized as misreporting by traditional news outlets. This assertion is significant as Autopilot has been a focal point of investigations into Tesla vehicle accidents, raising questions about the system's capabilities and the company's marketing.

The crash, which killed two occupants of a Tesla Model S, occurred when the vehicle, reportedly operating without a driver, collided with a tree. Law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident, with initial reports suggesting that neither occupant was in the driver's seat. The claims from Musk directly address the role of Autopilot, potentially influencing the investigation's direction and public perception of Tesla's advanced driver-assistance technology.