Photo: Spencer Platt / Getty Images News / Getty Images
A Tesla Model S involved in a car accident that left a motorcyclist dead was in "full self-driving" mode at the time of the crash. In April, the 56-year-old driver of the Tesla was traveling behind a motorcycle on State Route 522 in Maltby, Washington.
As the motorcyclist slowed down due to traffic in front of him, the Tesla did not slow down and struck the motorcycle. The rider, 28-year-old Jeffrey Nissen, was killed in the crash.
The driver of the Tesla, who has not been identified, was taken into custody on suspicion of vehicular homicide after he admitted that he was looking at his cell phone at the time of the crash.
The driver posted bond, and the case was given to the Snohomish County Prosecutor, who will decide whether to pursue the vehicular manslaughter charges.
Chris Loftis, a Washington State Patrol spokesman, told USA TODAY that self-driving cars are not allowed on the roads with the exception of "those unique situations that are under certified testing arrangements with the Department of Licensing,"
"A car may have the capacity to be driven autonomously, but that does not give the driver the legal right to do so," he said. "Our laws govern our behavior even if a specific vehicle's capacity offers options outside the law, safety, and courtesy. "