Utah Tesla driver had hands off wheel before crash

SALT LAKE CITY – Data from a Tesla electric vehicle confirms that a Utah driver had engaged the car’s semi-autonomous Autopilot functions before she slammed into the back of a fire truck last week.

South Jordan police released a summary of findings from the vehicle Wednesday showing the driver hadn’t touched the Model S’s steering wheel for 80 seconds before hitting the truck at a red light. The car was travelling at 60 mph (97kph). She manually pressed on the brake just before the crash.

A Tesla spokesperson said the company warns drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and remain alert.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it’s investigating the crash.

The 28-year-old driver, who was not identified, suffered a broken foot. The driver of the fire truck suffered minor whiplash.