UPDATE: Tesla Motors  asserts that their autopilot feature wasn’t in use during the crash

“We can confirm from the car’s logs that Autopilot was not engaged at any time during the drive cycle and that, consistent with the damage that was observed after the vehicle struck the tree, the vehicle was being driven at more than 155 km/h,” Tesla said Thursday in a prepared statement.

Original coverage follows.


A 53-year old Tesla Model S driver has tragically met his end after crashing into a tree at high speeds in the Baarn, Netherlands.

According to DutchNews, the crash took place on a country road around 6 A.M. Responding to the call, rescue teams were quickly dispatched, though, reports say the driver was already dead by the time firefighters arrived on the scene.

Caspar Huurdeman Fotografie

The rescue team was, at first, unable to extract the driver's body for fear of being electrocuted. The driver's body was only recovered after Tesla dispatched its technicians to provide the much needed help.

Investigations are being held to determine the cause of the accident, as it's still unclear why the built-in safety features on the Tesla didn't save the driver. Investigators are also unsure of whether or not he was even using Tesla’s Autopilot system during the crash.

“Tesla launched a full investigation. Once the outcome is known, Tesla will share with the public," the company said.


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