Tesla Data Reveals Autopilot Was Active in Fatal New Jersey Stop-Sign Crash

An investigation by Electrek has uncovered that a Tesla Model 3 involved in a deadly collision in Buena Vista Township, New Jersey, was operating with its driver-assist system engaged at the time of the crash. The vehicle allegedly ran a stop sign before striking a Honda Civic that was making a left turn through the intersection. The driver of the Civic, 82-year-old Stephen Field, lost his life in the incident.

While police initially described the case as a failure to stop, Tesla’s own telemetry data confirms that Autopilot or Full Self-Driving was active. This revelation comes as part of a broader Electrek probe that cross-references reported accidents with redacted data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The findings highlight ongoing concerns about the real-world performance of Tesla’s automated driving features and the adequacy of public reporting on such crashes.