Video appears to show Tesla driver asleep at the wheel on I-5 in Santa Clarita

Friday, August 23, 2019
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (KABC) -- This is not what you want to see while driving on a freeway. People in a passing car got video of a Tesla driver seemingly sleeping behind the wheel of a Tesla on I-5 near Santa Clarita on Saturday.

"He was completely out - sound asleep," said Clint Olivier, the driver who saw the Tesla. "My wife was on her phone on Instagram or something and I said get off your phone and record this!"
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Olivier said he did not contact police because the driver woke up and regained control of the car. Olivier said the Tesla was not moving erratically and was traveling 70-75 mph.

It is not clear if the vehicle was in autopilot mode.

Tesla's website advises drivers that "Autopilot is intended for use with a fully attentive driver, who has their hands on the wheel and is prepared to take over at any time." Tesla says Autopilot is not the same as self-driving.

This was not the first such reported incident in the Southland. In June, an Eyewitness News viewer recorded video of a driver who appeared to be fast asleep in his Tesla Model 3 as the vehicle sailed down the 405 Freeway.

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KGO-TV contributed to this report.
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