Driver Falls asleep, crashes his Tesla into police car!

A Tesla crashed into a California police patrol car, seriously injuring two officers. The driver reportedly told investigators that he had fallen asleep while driving the car

Tesla Crashes Into Police Car After Driver Says He Fell Asleep

A Tesla crashed into a California Highway Patrol (CHP) patrol car on Interstate 80 in Fairfield, California, late on 13 October 2026. Two police officers inside the vehicle were seriously injured. The 22-year-old Tesla driver from Sacramento reportedly told investigators that he had fallen asleep while the car was operating in Tesla’s Full Self-Driving mode.

What Happened?

Police officers were investigating an earlier fatal accident on Interstate 80 near Air Base Parkway.

In that crash, a 19-year-old man from San Pablo lost control of his Honda Civic and was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe. He was taken to hospital, where he later died. About an hour later, four California Highway Patrol officers were still at the scene. Several lanes had been closed, and traffic was being redirected. Flares, traffic cones and flashing emergency lights warned drivers about the closure.

However, a Tesla entered the closed lanes and crashed into the back of a parked patrol car with two officers inside.

The two officers suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital. Both were released the following day. The Tesla driver suffered minor injuries.

The California Highway Patrol released dashcam footage showing the Tesla approaching the closed-off area and hitting the patrol car. Two other officers standing outside the vehicle managed to move out of the way. According to investigators, the driver said he had been asleep and that the car was operating in Full Self-Driving mode. Authorities have not yet established all the circumstances of the crash.

What Is Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Feature?

Tesla offers a driver-assistance system called Full Self-Driving. Despite its name, the feature does not make a vehicle fully autonomous. Drivers must remain attentive, monitor the road and be ready to take control whenever necessary.

The California Highway Patrol has stressed that drivers remain responsible for operating their vehicles safely, even when using driver-assistance technology.

This Is Not the First Such Incident

Tesla vehicles using driver-assistance features have been involved in previous crashes with emergency vehicles.

In August 2021, US safety regulators began investigating crashes involving Tesla vehicles using Autopilot that struck parked emergency vehicles.

In February 2023, a Tesla Model S crashed into a parked fire truck on a highway near Walnut Creek, California. The Tesla driver died, a passenger was seriously injured, and four firefighters were taken to hospital for evaluation.

In December 2023, Tesla recalled more than two million vehicles in the United States to introduce changes intended to improve driver attention and engagement while using Autopilot.

In June 2024, another Tesla crashed into a parked police car in Fullerton, California. The officer and dispatcher inside the patrol vehicle escaped injury. Police said the Tesla driver had admitted to using the car’s driving-assistance feature while on his phone.

These incidents have raised questions about driver attention and the limits of vehicle automation.

What Happens Next?

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the October crash. Investigators will examine the circumstances of the collision, including available vehicle data, to establish what happened. The incident is another reminder that driver-assistance technology does not remove the need for drivers to stay alert and ready to take control.