DUI Driver Using Ford BlueCruise Crashes Into Parked Car, Killing Two
A driver using Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving system allegedly intoxicated crashed into a parked vehicle on Interstate 95 in Philadelphia in March, killing two people. The driver faces homicide and DUI-related charges, and authorities have warned against overreliance on partially automated driving systems.
What happened
On March 3 at approximately 3 a.m., a Ford Mustang Mach-E driven by Dimple Patel struck a parked vehicle on the shoulder of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia. Aktilek Baktybekov was stopped on the shoulder with a disabled Toyota Prius, and Tolobek Esenbekov had stopped behind him to provide assistance when the crash occurred.
Police reported the Mustang was traveling at approximately 70-71 mph with BlueCruise and Adaptive Cruise Control activated at the time of impact. Both Baktybekov and Esenbekov were killed in the collision.
Reported impact
Two individuals died in the crash. Four vehicles were involved in total.
Patel faces nine charges including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, involuntary manslaughter, tampering with evidence, reckless driving, careless driving, and prohibited text-based communications.
Index analysis
A defense attorney noted that Pennsylvania DUI-homicide law requires proving the DUI caused the homicide, and a failure in the driving system may not constitute homicide by DUI even if the driver was intoxicated.
The Pennsylvania State Police issued a warning that no partially automated vehicle technology should be left alone to perform driving tasks required to safely navigate roads.
Governance controls
Ford stated it is not advertising BlueCruise as a fully autonomous driving system, characterizing it instead as a hands-free solution for designated Blue Zones, and that the company has been collaborating with investigating organizations.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.