Tesla Model X on Autopilot crashes into five police officers

A Tesla Model X slammed into five police officers while they were operating a traffic stop in Splendora, Texas, raising questions about the company's technology and integrity.

Footage of the incident obtained by the Wall Street Journal showed a Tesla Model X driving at 54 miles per hour in the right-hand lane of a highway. 

After passing multiple parked emergency vehicles, a police SUV with its lights flashing appeared stationary in the center of the rightmost lane, which the Tesla fails to detect. 

The Tesla then rammed into one of the police SUVs, injuring five officers and hospitalising the subject of the original traffic stop.

The five officers filed a lawsuit against Tesla, claiming that 'design and manufacturing defects' were 'known to Tesla', were responsible for the crash and that Autopilot 'failed to detect the officers’ cars or to function in any way to avoid or warn of the hazard and subsequent crash.' 

The lawsuit included Pappas Restaurants Inc., the owner of Pappasito’s Cantina, where the driver of the Tesla was allegedly overserved alcohol before the accident. 

It requested damages in excess of USD 1 million with maximum damages of USD 20 million from Tesla and Pappas Restaurants.

Tesla maintains that drivers are responsible for their vehicle at all times and need to keep their hands on the steering wheel and be ready to take control at all times.