Tesla driver says he fell asleep using Full Self‑Driving as his Model Y collided with CHP patrol cars

A California Highway Patrol officer was among several first‑responders injured when a Tesla Model Y, allegedly running on the automaker’s Full Self‑Driving (FSD) system, struck a police cruiser on the northbound lanes of I‑5 near Sacramento on Thursday.

The car’s owner, a 38‑year‑old man identified by local police, told investigators he had dozed off while the vehicle was in FSD mode and asserted he never intervened manually before the crash, reviving the discussion over the technology’s limits and driver responsibility.

CHP reports indicate the Tesla hit a police cruiser that was parked on the shoulder conducting a routine traffic stop, pushing it into a second patrol vehicle and damaging both. The officers sustained minor injuries, while the Tesla driver received on‑scene treatment for a concussion and was cited for reckless driving and operating a vehicle while incapacitated.

Lieutenant Maria Alvarez, a spokesperson for the CHP, said the event highlights a common misunderstanding about the system’s capabilities. “Despite its name, Full Self‑Driving is not fully autonomous,” Alvarez told reporters. “The technology does not relieve drivers of their responsibility to stay alert and ready to take control at any moment.” Her warning mirrors the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s repeated advice that drivers must keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road when using advanced driver‑assist features.

The incident joins a growing tally of high‑profile crashes involving Tesla’s beta‑tested FSD software. While Tesla promotes the system’s ability to navigate highways, change lanes and obey traffic signals, critics argue its real‑world performance remains uneven. A comparable 2022 crash in Texas ended fatally when a Tesla on Autopilot failed to detect a stopped truck.

Tesla has not yet issued a statement on the Sacramento collision, though the company generally advises owners to keep their hands on the wheel and remain vigilant. Legal analysts note the driver could face civil suits for the damage to the patrol cars in addition to criminal charges. The CHP is examining dash‑cam footage and telemetry to see whether the sensors registered the stopped cruiser and how the driver’s lack of engagement may have contributed.

Regulators are expected to review the case as part of a wider assessment of driver‑assist technologies. California lawmakers have introduced bills that would demand clearer labeling of autonomous features and stricter enforcement of driver‑attention monitoring. As the debate over innovation versus safety continues, incidents like this underscore the pressing need for clearer guidelines and public education on the limits of so‑called “self‑driving” systems.