Tesla has confirmed that its driver-assist system was engaged when one of its vehicles crossed a median on Route 55 in New Jersey, leading to a fatal collision. The incident involved the Tesla hitting a tree, sliding into oncoming traffic, and striking an SUV head-on.
The driver of the SUV, 68-year-old Phillip Eastman, was killed in the crash. Police initially reported the incident as a driver losing control. However, Tesla's own report to federal regulators indicates the car's driver-assist system was active at the time of the accident.
This information comes as part of an ongoing investigation by Electrek, which is matching reported crashes with Tesla's data submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Sources and references
Original report
Tesla confirms Autopilot/FSD was ‘engaged’ when car crossed a median and killed a man
Electrek
Read on Electrek (opens in a new tab)Ref 006O1FC2
Cite this
APA
Interestana AI Editorial. (2026, October 15). Tesla Autopilot Engaged in Fatal Crash, Report Says. Interestana. https://interestana.com/articles/tesla-confirms-autopilotfsd-was-engaged-when-car-crossed-a-median-and-killed-a-man-006o1fc2
MLA
“Tesla Autopilot Engaged in Fatal Crash, Report Says.” Interestana, 15 Oct. 2026, interestana.com/articles/tesla-confirms-autopilotfsd-was-engaged-when-car-crossed-a-median-and-killed-a-man-006o1fc2.
Chicago
Interestana AI Editorial. “Tesla Autopilot Engaged in Fatal Crash, Report Says.” Interestana, October 15, 2026. https://interestana.com/articles/tesla-confirms-autopilotfsd-was-engaged-when-car-crossed-a-median-and-killed-a-man-006o1fc2.
BibTeX
@misc{interestana_006o1fc2,
author = {{Interestana AI Editorial}},
title = {{Tesla Autopilot Engaged in Fatal Crash, Report Says}},
howpublished = {Interestana},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
url = {https://interestana.com/articles/tesla-confirms-autopilotfsd-was-engaged-when-car-crossed-a-median-and-killed-a-man-006o1fc2},
note = {Summary of reporting by Electrek, https://electrek.co/2026/10/15/tesla-driver-assist-median-crossing-vineland/}
}Credit the source
Original reporting: Electrek, “Tesla confirms Autopilot/FSD was ‘engaged’ when car crossed a median and killed a man”, https://electrek.co/2026/10/15/tesla-driver-assist-median-crossing-vineland/(opens in a new tab)
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