Man behind wheel in Tesla Autopilot crash that killed two charged with vehicular manslaughter in first case of its kind

 

A California motorist has become the first person to be charged over a fatal crash involving Tesla’s Autopilot system.

Kevin George Aziz Riad, 27, faces two counts of vehicular manslaughter after being behind the wheel of a Tesla when it ran a red light, crashing into another car and killing two people.

It is the first time a motorist has been charged with a felony for an incident involving the electric car maker’s partially automated driving system, according to the Associated Press.

Los Angeles County prosecutors filed the charges in October, but details of the case have only just emerged.

Mr Riad, who works as a limousine service driver, is out on bail while the case is pending.

Tesla’s Autopilot system can be engaged while driving to automatically control the vehicle’s steering, speed and braking, and has been the subject of numerous investigations by federal agencies following accidents.

Read more: Man behind wheel in Tesla Autopilot crash that killed two charged with vehicular manslaughter in first case of its kind