Tesla on autopilot crashes into parked van in driveway, driver ticketed
A Tesla operating in autopilot mode crashed into a parked minivan in a South Brunswick, New Jersey residential driveway after apparently attempting to avoid an oncoming vehicle. The driver was ticketed for careless driving, with police indicating the autopilot may have misidentified the driveway as a roadway.
What happened
A Tesla on autopilot turned off Georges Road in South Brunswick, New Jersey, around 5 p.m. on May 5, 2025, and entered a residential driveway instead of continuing on the street.
According to police, the Tesla's sensors detected a white SUV approaching from the opposite direction on the same side street. The car accelerated into the driveway in what police believe was an attempt to avoid a head-on collision.
The Tesla struck a minivan parked in the driveway, pushing it into the garage. The homeowner, who was gardening near the garage door, narrowly avoided injury.
Reported impact
The parked minivan sustained extensive damage, with its back window shattered and the vehicle pushed into the garage. The Tesla sustained front-end damage.
The homeowner escaped injury despite being near the vehicle at the time of impact.
Index analysis
Police suggested the Tesla may have mistaken the residential driveway for a continuation of the street, responding to the approaching SUV by accelerating rather than braking or steering away.
Governance controls
South Brunswick Police ticketed the Tesla's driver for careless driving. Detective Sergeant Tim Hoover stated that even with fully automatic driving functions, drivers retain responsibility for their vehicle's operation and must exercise due care.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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