Detroit police blame the driver for the Tesla accident involving a truck that seriously injured a woman

DETROIT – Detroit Police Department assistant chief David LeValley recently spoke to Local 4 News about the accident that happened last Thursday involving a Tesla and a tractor trailer in southwest Detroit.

The accident left the Tesla passenger, 21-year-old Esmeralda Barco, seriously injured.

“It seems that speed was an important factor in the collision. All the indications we have at the moment are that the vehicle was not in autopilot mode, that the driver was in control of the vehicle at the time of the accident, ”said LeValley.

Reading: Was it autopilot or driver error? Feds investigate Tesla crash on West Detroit

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Despite preliminary information given Tuesday morning at the end of the week, DPD investigators will meet with officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other agencies to look for clues that may still be under the hood.

“Individuals from that agency, along with the officer in charge of the case here in Detroit and the Michigan state police, are going to remove a black box and an SD card from that Tesla,” said LeValley.

DPD was unable to comment on what exactly these cards involve, although the mutilated vehicle is still in its possession.

“We believe that as soon as we look at the black box and download the information along with the information on the SD card, we will be able to determine with certainty whether or not the vehicle was in autopilot mode,” added LeValley.

It is all part of a broader investigation done on behalf of the NHTSA to determine if there is any connection to two accidents in Florida that have happened involving Teslas as well.

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“In my understanding, there are some other accidents involving Tesla vehicles in other parts of the country,” said LeValley.

Only those accidents were fatal and the autonomous driving feature was being used. From now on, all the blame is being placed on the person behind the wheel.

“They reviewed this and authorized the charges today, accusing the driver of reckless driving and causing serious injuries,” said LaValley.

Local 4 News has been informed that the driver will be taken back to custody shortly. In the meantime, the NHTSA investigation will continue.

Barco is still fighting for his life and dealing with brain bleeding and serious back injuries.

An online fundraiser was created on behalf of the woman. To help the accident victim, click here to donate to the online fundraiser.