Tesla Driver Allegedly Causes Catastrophic Accident in San Francisco
In January of 2025, San Francisco was rocked by a particularly severe car accident. It involved a Tesla driver, a Waymo vehicle, and at least other cars. It also injured several people, killed one human, and killed one dog. One person was immediately arrested in connection to the incident, but details are still unclear. Several families are reeling, and the local community is also traumatized. Unfortunately, these crashes have become all too common in San Francisco. While seven-vehicle crashes do not occur every day, countless people die each year from traffic accidents like these. If you are recovering from injuries after a San Francisco car accident, consider contacting an experienced auto accident lawyer.
Witnesses Describe Mayhem After Seven-Vehicle Crash in San Francisco
Multiple sources reported a major seven-vehicle collision in San Francisco in January 2025. Police say the incident began on Highway 280 when the driver of a black Tesla collided with a four-vehicle vehicle. Although the crash only resulted in minor injuries, the Tesla driver decided to flee at high speed.
Later, the defendant ran straight into the back of a Waymo vehicle, which was waiting at a red light at 6th and Harrison Street. The Waymo “robotaxi” was reportedly unoccupied at the time, but several other vehicles were involved. The subsequent impacts killed one San Francisco man and his dog. A total of seven people were hospitalized, including the driver of the Tesla.
Witnesses say they heard a series of impacts, and some believed they were explosions. After hearing these noises, one resident ran outside and saw what he described as a scene of “devastation.” There was smoke, several wrecked vehicles, and debris scattered across the road. The witness also described hearing injured people moaning, crying, and screaming from inside the wreckage.
A representative of Waymo revealed that the Tesla was probably traveling at 98 miles per hour at the time of impact, although it’s not clear how the company obtained this data. Police subsequently located and identified the Tesla driver at a nearby hospital and charged him with several crimes, including vehicular manslaughter, vandalism, and speeding. This individual may also face charges for the earlier hit-and-run, although police are still trying to confirm that it was the same vehicle.
One of the people who was hospitalized reportedly suffered life-threatening injuries. Police say that debris from the crash was scattered across half the city block and that the crash involved significant physical forces.
A few days later, it was reported that the Tesla driver had been released from custody. One source suggests that this driver told police that his brake pedal failed to function before the crash. Police noted that they were not ruling this out, and that they were planning to examine the wrecked Tesla for any sign that the brakes failed.
Some are already speculating about whether this driver may have had his Autopilot feature activated at the time of the crash. Tesla’s self-driving technology has been linked to many other crashes throughout California, and the public has become relatively skeptical about the safety of this software. Police may also need to look into potential software issues as well as mechanical issues.
The driver is 66 years old, and the deceased victim was just 27. The condition of the individual in critical condition is not yet clear, but their life may be altered forever. The public outcry for justice is already becoming quite loud.
At first glance, brake failure might seem like a convenient excuse. However, police are not dismissing this possibility just yet – and this could have been caused by a legitimate mechanical failure. The presence of a robotaxi in this crash further highlights the role of technology in modern accidents. These self-driving vehicles seem to continuously cause crashes in San Francisco – and these accidents are often shocking.
Contact an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer After a Multi-Vehicle Crash
After a multi-vehicle crash in San Francisco, it makes sense to contact an experienced auto accident lawyer. Multi-vehicle accidents may be complex to investigate, and it might not be clear who is at fault. A legal professional can help you look into this accident and gather effective evidence. This could make it easier to establish negligence, recover compensation, and achieve a sense of justice. Remember, the statute limitations could prevent you from suing if you delay too long. Get started with an action plan today by contacting Mary Alexander & Associates.
