Tesla Model 3 strikes over-turned truck, kills driver

A Tesla driver reportedly with its Autopilot driver assistance system engaged struck an overturned semi-truck east of Los Angeles, USA, killing the driver of the car and injuring a pedestrian.

35-year-old father of two Steven Michael Hendrickson died when his Tesla Model 3 hit an overturned lorry at about 2.30am in Fontana, 50 miles east of Los Angeles. Another man was seriously injured as he was hit while helping the lorry’s driver out of the wreckage from the previous incident.

Media reports said Hendrickson regularly boasted on social media about driving his car unaided, including shooting videos while the car drove itself. The California Highway Patrol said that the car’s Autopilot system 'was engaged' prior to the crash, though it stated there 'has not been a final determination made.'

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it was investigating the crash, the 29th case involving a Tesla that it had probed.