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Tesla worker killed in fiery crash may be first 'Full Self-Driving' fatality
Tesla worker killed in fiery crash may be first ‘Full Self-Driving’ fatality
Evidence suggests the advanced driver-assistance system was engaged during a fatal crash that killed recruiter Hans von Ohain in 2022
{snip}
By Trisha Thadani, Faiz Siddiqui, Rachel Lerman, Whitney Shefte, Julia Wall and Talia Trackim
Feb. 13, 2024 at 5:55 a.m.
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https://wapo.st/3UD1Iu2
EVERGREEN, Colo.
Hans von Ohain and Erik Rossiter were on their way to play golf one afternoon in 2022 when von Ohain’s Tesla suddenly swerved off Upper Bear Creek Road. The car’s driver-assistance software, Full Self-Driving, was struggling to navigate the mountain curves, forcing von Ohain repeatedly to yank it back on course. ... “The first time it happened, I was like, ‘Is that normal?’” recalled Rossiter, who described the five-mile drive on the outskirts of Denver as “uncomfortable.” “And he was like, ‘Yeah, that happens every now and then.’”
Hours later, on the way home, the Tesla Model 3 barreled into a tree and exploded in flames, killing von Ohain, a Tesla employee and devoted fan of CEO Elon Musk. Rossiter, who survived the crash, told emergency responders that von Ohain was using an “auto-drive feature on the Tesla” that “just ran straight off the road,” according to a 911 dispatch recording obtained by The Washington Post. In a recent interview, Rossiter said he believes that von Ohain was using Full Self-Driving, which — if true — would make his death the first known fatality involving Tesla’s most advanced driver-assistance technology.
Tesla owners have long complained of occasionally erratic behavior by the cars’ software, including sudden braking, missed road markings and crashes with parked emergency vehicles. Since federal regulators began requiring automakers to report crashes involving driver-assistance systems in 2021, they have logged more than 900 in Teslas, including at least 40 that resulted in serious or fatal injuries, according to a Post analysis.
{snip}
Meanwhile, Tesla has yet to publicly acknowledge the death of an employee driving one of its cars. ... To its workforce, the company has said little about what happened to von Ohain, making few efforts to console those who knew him, according to a former employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. Von Ohain’s replacement was hired within a few weeks, the person said.
{snip}
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https://wapo.st/3UD1Iu2
Trisha Thadani
Trisha Thadani joined The Washington Post in 2023 from the San Francisco Chronicle. She covers the technology industry, with a focus on Apple’s influence on society, politics and policy. @TrishaThadani
Faiz Siddiqui
Faiz Siddiqui is a technology reporter with The Washington Post's Business Desk covering companies such as Tesla and Twitter. His area of coverage has also included ride-hailing and the race to build autonomous cars. Prior to that, he covered the D.C. Metro and local transportation scene. @faizsays
Rachel Lerman
Rachel Lerman covers breaking news in technology for The Washington Post. @rachelerman
Whitney Shefte
Whitney Shefte is a Peabody, Emmy, Murrow and Pictures of the Year International (POYi) award-winning senior video journalist at The Washington Post, where she has worked since 2006. @whitneyshefte
Talia Trackim
Talia Trackim is a print and digital designer for The Washington Post. @taliatrackim
Evidence suggests the advanced driver-assistance system was engaged during a fatal crash that killed recruiter Hans von Ohain in 2022
{snip}
By Trisha Thadani, Faiz Siddiqui, Rachel Lerman, Whitney Shefte, Julia Wall and Talia Trackim
Feb. 13, 2024 at 5:55 a.m.
Share
https://wapo.st/3UD1Iu2
EVERGREEN, Colo.
Hans von Ohain and Erik Rossiter were on their way to play golf one afternoon in 2022 when von Ohain’s Tesla suddenly swerved off Upper Bear Creek Road. The car’s driver-assistance software, Full Self-Driving, was struggling to navigate the mountain curves, forcing von Ohain repeatedly to yank it back on course. ... “The first time it happened, I was like, ‘Is that normal?’” recalled Rossiter, who described the five-mile drive on the outskirts of Denver as “uncomfortable.” “And he was like, ‘Yeah, that happens every now and then.’”
Hours later, on the way home, the Tesla Model 3 barreled into a tree and exploded in flames, killing von Ohain, a Tesla employee and devoted fan of CEO Elon Musk. Rossiter, who survived the crash, told emergency responders that von Ohain was using an “auto-drive feature on the Tesla” that “just ran straight off the road,” according to a 911 dispatch recording obtained by The Washington Post. In a recent interview, Rossiter said he believes that von Ohain was using Full Self-Driving, which — if true — would make his death the first known fatality involving Tesla’s most advanced driver-assistance technology.
Tesla owners have long complained of occasionally erratic behavior by the cars’ software, including sudden braking, missed road markings and crashes with parked emergency vehicles. Since federal regulators began requiring automakers to report crashes involving driver-assistance systems in 2021, they have logged more than 900 in Teslas, including at least 40 that resulted in serious or fatal injuries, according to a Post analysis.
{snip}
Meanwhile, Tesla has yet to publicly acknowledge the death of an employee driving one of its cars. ... To its workforce, the company has said little about what happened to von Ohain, making few efforts to console those who knew him, according to a former employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. Von Ohain’s replacement was hired within a few weeks, the person said.
{snip}
About this story
Additional development by Jake Crump. Editing by Lori Montgomery and Karly Domb Sadof. Video production by Jessica Koscielniak. Design editing by Betty Chavarria. Photo editing by Monique Woo. Video graphics by Sarah Hashemi. Copy editing by Anne Kenderdine and Martha Murdock.
Share
https://wapo.st/3UD1Iu2
Trisha Thadani
Trisha Thadani joined The Washington Post in 2023 from the San Francisco Chronicle. She covers the technology industry, with a focus on Apple’s influence on society, politics and policy. @TrishaThadani
Faiz Siddiqui
Faiz Siddiqui is a technology reporter with The Washington Post's Business Desk covering companies such as Tesla and Twitter. His area of coverage has also included ride-hailing and the race to build autonomous cars. Prior to that, he covered the D.C. Metro and local transportation scene. @faizsays
Rachel Lerman
Rachel Lerman covers breaking news in technology for The Washington Post. @rachelerman
Whitney Shefte
Whitney Shefte is a Peabody, Emmy, Murrow and Pictures of the Year International (POYi) award-winning senior video journalist at The Washington Post, where she has worked since 2006. @whitneyshefte
Talia Trackim
Talia Trackim is a print and digital designer for The Washington Post. @taliatrackim
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