DRIVER PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN HACIENDA HEIGHTS CRASH THAT KILLED YOUNG COUPLE

By John Gregory

Friday, September 09, 2016 02:13PM

EL MONTE, Calif. (KABC) --

Nearly a year after two high school sweethearts were killed in a freak accident in Hacienda Heights, the driver who authorities say sparked the crash entered a plea of not guilty.

Key Kim, 68, pleaded not guilty to two counts of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. He was charged earlier in the week.

MORE: 2 dead, 2 injured in Hacienda Heights car crash

Authorities say Kim's speeding Lexus lost control while exiting the 60 Freeway at 7th Avenue. The car went airborne and slammed into a Toyota truck, shearing it in half last October.

George A. Steward and his high school sweetheart Sabrina D. Castillo, both 18 and recent graduates of Los Altos High School, were in the truck at the time of the crash. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

It was an emotional day in court, as the teens' parents faced Kim for the very first time.

"To see him and his family, and our kids are not here to live their life like they should, it's just unfair," said Edra Silva, mother of one of the victims.

Cameras were not allowed inside the courtroom. Outside of court, Kim and his attorney expressed their sorrow over what happened.

MORE: Young couple killed in Hacienda Heights crash mourned at vigil

"Mr. Kim is terribly sorry for the tragedy that the Castillos, who are family, has suffered," said defense attorney Louis Shapiro.

Shapiro said Kim's vehicle was defective and accelerated uncontrollably, causing the crash.

"We all want the truth to come out. This is going to be a third-party culpability case, and Toyota and Lexus, we plan on them being brought in and for the right outcome to happen for everybody," Shapiro said.

Toyota has made it clear it is working with investigators. Family members don't believe the car was to blame.

"There was no indication within the data that that's the case. He looks like he might have had some issues with the vehicle, but the report doesn't indicate, really to me, that it was the vehicle's fault," said George Steward, father of George A Steward.

As difficult as the arraignment was, the parents of George and Sabrina are now ready to see justice served.

While Kim did plead not guilty, the judge still required him to post bail at $50,000. The judge also required him to turn in his California driver's license. He is expected to be back in court on Nov. 3.

2 DEAD, 2 INJURED IN HACIENDA HEIGHTS CAR CRASH

By Melissa MacBride and Gabrielle Moreira

Sunday, October 18, 2015

HACIENDA HEIGHTS, Calif. (KABC) --

A man and woman, both 18, were killed and two others were injured in a car crash in Hacienda Heights Sunday night.

The crash happened shortly before 7 p.m. near the State Route 60 off-ramp to 7th Avenue. Authorities said the collision occurred between a white Toyota Tacoma pickup truck and a black Lexus sedan.

The 68-year-old male driver of the Lexus was traveling about 90 mph down the off-ramp when he hit a dip, bottomed out and collided with the concrete median, authorities said.

The impact of the crash caused the black sedan to veer off the freeway, smash the top of the truck's cabin and overturn into a nearby Denny's parking lot.

Sal Corrales had just parked in the lot, only four spots away. His girlfriend called 911, and he ran to see if the man and woman inside the Lexus were alive. Three other witnesses came to help them, so Corrales decided to check on the people in the truck.

"It was disturbing," he said. "That's when I had got up and when I had left to go see the white truck, if anybody was in there. That's when I noticed there was organ tissue on the street, and I just assumed the person who was in that truck was departed."

Authorities closed off the eastbound freeway ramp to investigate the scene. It was unclear for how long the ramp was closed.

The victims have not been identified, but family members were notified.

The driver and his passenger suffered minor injuries and were being treated at Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center.

Authorities do not believe the man was driving under the influence, and the investigation was ongoing.

CORRECTION: California Highway Patrol officials initially said 62-year-old Young A. Kim was behind the wheel of the Lexus, but released details Monday confirming that she was, in fact, a passenger in 68-year-old Key J. Kim's vehicle.

http://abc7.com/news/2-dead-2-injured-in-hacienda-heights-car-crash/1039601/

TOYOTA LEXUS RECALLS

Your vehicle MAY be involved in a safety recall and MAY create a safety risk for you or your passengers. If left unrepaired, a potential safety defect could lead to injury or even death. Safety defects must be repaired by a dealer at no cost to you.

Why am I getting this email?
You are receiving this message because you requested to be notified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) if there is a safety recall that may affect your vehicle.

The following may apply to one or more of your vehicles if your vehicle is listed below. Click on the NHTSA Campaign ID number below to read more about the safety issue and the reason for the recall.

To find out if your specific vehicle is included in the recall, use our VIN Look-up Tool.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	16V596
Manufacturer :	Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Make / Model Years :	LEXUS / 2010 TOYOTA / 2006-2011
Subject :	Rear Suspension Arm (Tie Rod) Corrosion

What is a recall?
When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a car or item of motor vehicle equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that car or equipment at no cost to the consumer. That can be done by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund (for equipment) or, in rare cases, repurchasing the car.

What should I do if my vehicle is included in this recall?
If your vehicle is included in this recall, it is very important that you get it fixed as soon as possible given the potential danger to you and your passengers if it is not addressed. You should receive a separate letter in the mail from the vehicle manufacturer, notifying you of the recall and explaining when the remedy will be available, whom to contact to repair your vehicle or equipment, and to remind you that the repair will be done at no charge to you. If you believe your vehicle is included in the recall, but you do not receive a letter in the mail from the vehicle manufacturer, please call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or contact your vehicle manufacturer or dealership.

Thank you for your attention to this important safety matter and for your commitment to helping save lives on America's roadways.

Additional Resources
Understanding Vehicle Recalls
Recalls FAQ 

*****

*****

Report Receipt Date: AUG 12, 2016
NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V596000
Component(s): SUSPENSION
Potential Number of Units Affected: 337,449 

All Products Associated with this Recall 

Details 

13 Associated Documents 

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

SUMMARY:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Toyota RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 31, 2005, to September 7, 2010, and 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured July 6, 2009, to August 26, 2010. The affected vehicles have rear suspension arms (rear tie rods) with adjusting lock nuts that may have been improperly tightened after servicing. As a result of being loose, the arm may have thread damage and may rust, possibly leading to the failure of the arm and an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.

CONSEQUENCE:

Failure of the rear tie rod could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

Toyota will notify owners and dealers will replace both rear suspension arms and encapsulate the locknuts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 30, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0V for Toyota vehicles and GLK for Lexus vehicles. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-383, in which some vehicles were only inspected, sealed, and did not have both arms replaced. The affected vehicles were previously recalled under 13V-383, but did not have both rear suspension arms replaced at that time. Those vehicles need to have both arms replaced as part of this recall remedy.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Use our VIN Look-Up tool to see if your vehicle is affected
by this recall (major light vehicles only):

Your vehicle MAY be involved in a safety recall and MAY create a safety risk for you or your passengers. If left unrepaired, a potential safety defect could lead to injury or even death. Safety defects must be repaired by a dealer at no cost to you.

Why am I getting this email?
You are receiving this message because you requested to be notified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) if there is a safety recall that may affect your vehicle.

The following may apply to one or more of your vehicles if your vehicle is listed below. Click on the NHTSA Campaign ID number below to read more about the safety issue and the reason for the recall.

To find out if your specific vehicle is included in the recall, use our VIN Look-up Tool.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number :	16V577
Manufacturer :	Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
Make / Model Years :	TOYOTA / 2010-2015
Subject :	Accessory Exhaust Tip May Contact and Burn People

What is a recall?
When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determines that a car or item of motor vehicle equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that car or equipment at no cost to the consumer. That can be done by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund (for equipment) or, in rare cases, repurchasing the car.

What should I do if my vehicle is included in this recall?
If your vehicle is included in this recall, it is very important that you get it fixed as soon as possible given the potential danger to you and your passengers if it is not addressed. You should receive a separate letter in the mail from the vehicle manufacturer, notifying you of the recall and explaining when the remedy will be available, whom to contact to repair your vehicle or equipment, and to remind you that the repair will be done at no charge to you. If you believe your vehicle is included in the recall, but you do not receive a letter in the mail from the vehicle manufacturer, please call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, or contact your vehicle manufacturer or dealership.

Thank you for your attention to this important safety matter and for your commitment to helping save lives on America's roadways.

Additional Resources
Understanding Vehicle Recalls
Recalls FAQ 

 RECALL Subject : Accessory Exhaust Tip May Contact and Burn People

Report Receipt Date: AUG 03, 2016
NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V577000
Component(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 425 

All Products Associated with this Recall 

Details 

5 Associated Documents 

Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

SUMMARY:

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Toyota 4Runner vehicles manufactured September 3, 2009, to December 1, 2014. The affected vehicles may be equipped with accessory exhaust tips installed by SET or SET dealers that may contact people and possibly burn them while they are standing behind the vehicle.

CONSEQUENCE:

Contact with an exhaust tip may result in personal injury.

REMEDY:

SET will notify owners, and dealers will install a re-designed exhaust tip that is smaller in diameter and is more recessed behind the bumper, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 15, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET16D.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Use our VIN Look-Up tool to see if your vehicle is affected
by this recall (major light vehicles only):

GMRecallSurvivors.com have erected a billboard to raise awareness about the government's failures to regulate auto safety and prevent deaths caused by GM ignition switches. 

This is not to take away from their heroic efforts which have successfully rallied support and remembrance of those who lost their lives because of GM's failures, rather to call attention to the failures of many others, including TOYOTA, JEEP, TESLA, OTHER MANUFACTURERS, the failure of NHTSA to respond, the failure of government to react to protect consumers. 

Big Corporations have taken over government, budgets have been slashed and government no longer fulfills its obligation to protect consumers. 

The bloody Takata Airbag deaths define part of the grisly toll: 

It's time to change all that!!

How curious is this?: U.S. probes 408,000 Jeep SUVs for rollaway incidents

NHTSA'S White Wash!

Toyota had received more than 37,900 complaints

 concerning the ETCS, which have been installed in 

Toyota-brand vehicles sold in the United States since 

1998.

+ 37,900 complaints ignored by Toyota

Automakers Are Companies and Don’t Care About You

Defining an industry that eschews safety...

NHTSA ignored 4,150 COMPLAINTS?

GM recall survivors group launches Detroit billboard

Melissa Burden, The Detroit News

September 2, 2016

A group associated with victims of General Motors Co.’s faulty ignition switches is paying for a billboard in Detroit that aims to remind employees and CEO Mary Barra of the company’s promise to improve its safety record.

The billboard with the message “Let’s make sure they never forget” goes up Monday and will be visible in September near the corner of Rosa Parks Boulevard and the W. Fisher Service Drive along I-75 in Detroit.

The billboard shows pictures of six young people who died in crashes, including Laura Christian’s birth daughter. Amber Marie Rose was 16 when she died in a 2005 accident in a Chevrolet Cobalt tied to the ignition switch defect. The billboard includes a Barra quote from a 2014 Congressional hearing: “I never want anyone associated with GM to forget what happened.”

Christian is the founder of GM Recall Survivors, which includes family and friends of those killed and injured in crashes tied to GM’s defective ignition switches.

“We’re trying to raise awareness, obviously, for auto safety and at the same time provoke GM to truly commit to safety,” Christian said Friday. “In the meantime, we want other folks to not forget that auto safety is a serious issue. This is an ongoing issue. And until we get new laws, we’re going to lose more people.”

GM Recall Survivors is planning a news conference at 11 a.m. Sept. 16 near GM’s headquarters in Detroit. Christian, a Maryland native, said she has invited Barra. Christian seeks Barra’s support of its efforts to create greater accountability for executives in cases of deadly recalls and banning sales of recalled used cars until they are fixed.

GM on Friday said it was aware of the billboard, but did not comment.

The automaker in early 2014 recalled 2.59 million older Chevrolet Cobalts, Saturn Ions and other cars for defective ignition switches that can inadvertently shut off the engine, disabling power steering and air bags.

The ignition switch defect ultimately was tied to 124 deaths and GM established a victims compensation fund for families of those who died and hundreds of people who were injured. Last September, GM agreed to pay a $900 million fine to the Department of Justice, and, it agreed to three years of oversight by a federal monitor as part of a deferred prosecution agreement. It also paid a then-record $35 million fine in 2014 to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the delayed recall.

The billboard mentions May 6, 2017, in Washington, D.C., as a “Stand for Justice” event that the group is organizing to lobby legislators to enact laws to protect Americans from defective automobiles.

Christian said she hopes the billboard will get the public’s attention and to support law changes: “I hope it awakens some folks that this is something that can happen to them and to their family.”


http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/general-motors/2016/09/02/gm-recall-billboard/89779404/

Q: Car involuntarily accelerates 2-car lengths 1 out of 100 times

asked by Nicholas F on July 22, 2016

I purchased a Lexus-certified used hybrid car and it is exhibiting involuntary acceleration. Two to three times out of 20 when I start to brake, my car accelerates slightly on its own. My car has regenerative braking, so I thought that perhaps the slight voluntary acceleration was normal. It is startling when it happens, but I apply hard pressure to the brake and it stops the acceleration. But “every” time I brake, I have to keep focused and aware that it might happen. When it started doing this, I thought I was hitting both pedals at the same time, but I’m sure that I’m not doing that. The dangerous problem is the distance that it accelerates 1 in 100 times when I brake. My car will accelerate “two” car lengths before I can brake. Naturally, when the mechanic at the dealership rode with me, it didn’t happen! I was told to keep a watch on this and they recorded my complaint. This two-car length acceleration only occurs during summer hot months, like now. There has been no change in the frequency. Have you heard of this in other Lexus hybrids and can you advise me how I can get this fixed (before an accident happens)?

https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/car-involuntarily-accelerates-2-car-lengths-1-out-of-100-times

Toyota Prius collides with Joe Mack's Beach Shack in Friday evening crash

Posted: Friday, July 8, 2016

by Michelle Jostmeyer 

Just after 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 8, the Russellville Police Department the Russellville Fire Department and Pope County EMS were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident that occurred in the parking lot of the University Plaza located at 2005 North Arkansas Avenue. 

RPD officers and RFD Engine 3 firefighters advised dispatch they were en route to the call and a short time later, advised they had arrived on scene. 

RFD firefighters offered dispatch a size up of the scene stating that a small passenger car, a gold Toyota Prius, had struck the store front of Joe Mack's Beach Shack and had entered the store. The car had sustained minor damage in the accident, but the store front had sustained heavy damage in the collision. 

Firefighters made contact with the driver of the vehicle as well as employees of the store to inquire if anyone had sustained injuries. Upon the arrival of Pope County EMS all parties advised they were not injured and denied transport or treatment by EMS.

RPD officers on scene made contact with the driver in order to obtain his license, vehicle registration and his insurance information in order to begin investigating of the crash and for their report. 

RPD officers spoke to employees who were in the store when the accident occurred and took their statements. Officers also obtained a written statement from the driver of the Toyota of how the accident had occurred and then began their investigation. 

After completing the investigation, the officers learned that the driver of the Toyota was parked directly in front of Joe Mack's Beach Shack and was attempting to back out of the parking spot. 

The driver accelerated the car to back out, believing the car was in reverse, but upon accelerating, the car traveled forward, due to the car being in drive. When the car accelerated it hopped the curb, entered the sidewalk, and struck the glass store front. The car entered Joe Mack's Beach Shack where it came to rest just inside the front of the store. The Toyota was later pulled from the store by a wrecker and then towed from the scene. 

Owners and employees of the store began cleaning up the glass and debris left from the collision as they waited for assistance to arrive to begin temporary repairs to secure the store. 

After completing the accident report and assisting in the call, both firefighters and police officer ended the call, advising dispatch they were available for service. 

http://www.rivervalleyleader.com/news/article_80d3f98a-457c-11e6-935a-3f9d78edd72e.html

As of 8 July 2016: 

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS [1]

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2016/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

2010 – 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS Vehicle Speed Control Problems  (as of: 8 Jul 2016)

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS [3]

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2015/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS [7]

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2014/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS [11]

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2013/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS [9] 

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2012/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS [15] 

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2011/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS [264] 

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2010/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

2001 – 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS Vehicle Speed Control Problems  (as of: 8 Jul 2016)

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS [65] 

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2009/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS [140]

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2008/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2006 TOYOTA PRIUS [77] 

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2006/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS [49] 

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2005/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS [49] 

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2004/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS [3] 

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2003/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2002 TOYOTA PRIUS [11] 

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2002/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

Vehicle Speed Control Problem on the 2001 TOYOTA PRIUS [23] 

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2001/toyota/prius/vehicle_speed_control/problem.aspx

Consumer Watchdog: Tesla “rushing,” should disable Autopilot immediately

Driver Automation to Be Scrutinized in NTSB Probe of Tesla Crash

By Alan Levin Jeff Plungis

Safety board seeking to learn about safety of automation

Agency joins NHTSA in studying fatal accident in Florida

For years, U.S. investigators have been calling for more automation on motor vehicles, such as sensors that slam on the brakes to prevent a crash.

At the same time, the National Transportation Safety Board, in its probes of transportation mishaps, has warned that such devices may also have a down side: the technology can confuse operators if it’s poorly designed or lead to complacency that breeds its own hazards.

Now, for the first time in a highway accident, those two potentially contradictory themes will be put to the test as the NTSB opens an investigation into a fatal accident involving a Tesla Motors Inc. sedan that was driving with a feature called Autopilot enabled.

“It’s very significant,” said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety advocacy group in Washington. “The NTSB only investigates crashes with broader implications.”

Team Dispatched

The Safety Board will be sending a team of five investigators to Florida next week, agency spokesman Christopher O’Neil said Friday.

While the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is conducting its own review of the May 7 incident, the NTSB wants to take a more comprehensive look at whether the crash reveals any systemic issues with driverless car technology, O’Neil said. NHTSA is a regulatory agency and the NTSB is an independent investigative body that only has the power to make policy recommendations.

“It’s worth taking a look and seeing what we can learn from that event, so that as that automation is more widely introduced we can do it in the safest way possible,” O’Neil said.

A 40-year-old Ohio man died when his 2015 Tesla Model S struck an 18-wheeler on a highway near Williston, Florida, according to a Florida Highway Patrol statement. The Model S drove under the truck’s trailer, shearing off its top.

First Fatality

The Autopilot, a semi-autonomous feature that can guide the vehicle in certain conditions, didn’t notice the white side of the tractor trailer as it turned in front of the car against a brightly lit sky so the brake wasn’t applied, according to Tesla. The system may have confused the truck with an overhead highway sign.

The crash was the first with a known fatality in more than 130 million miles of Autopilot driving, according to the carmaker.

Ditlow said that the NTSB rarely opens investigations into highway accidents, so the announcement that it was looking at the Tesla crash is significant.

“They’re not looking at just this crash,” he said. “They’re looking at the broader aspects. Are these driverless vehicles safe? Are there enough regulations in place to ensure their safety?”

Beta System

“And one thing in this crash I’m certain they’re going to look at is using the American public as test drivers for beta systems in vehicles. That is simply unheard of in auto safety,” he said.

Tesla has installed the software for Autopilot on all 70,000 of its cars since October 2014 even though it is still a so-called beta version. Tesla said in a June 30 blog post that vehicle owners must acknowledge that the system is new technology that is “still in a public beta phase” before it will switch it on.

“Autopilot is by far the most advanced driver-assistance system on the road, but it does not turn a Tesla into an autonomous vehicle and does not allow the driver to abdicate responsibility,” the company said. “Since the release of Autopilot, we’ve continuously educated customers on the use of the feature, reminding them that they’re responsible for remaining alert and present when using Autopilot and must be prepared to take control at all times.”

The NTSB opens highway investigations about 25 to 30 times a year, according to O’Neil. By comparison, it is required by law to investigate the more than 1,000 aviation accidents a year.

Tracy Morgan

The NTSB has for decades called on vehicle manufacturers to install more features to automatically prevent accidents. After a Wal-Mart Stores Inc. truck struck a limo van carrying comic Tracy Morgan, the NTSB examined why the truck’s automatic braking system wasn’t switched on at the time of the impact.

Accidents involving automation also have been a growing issue in aviation and other transportation modes, according to NTSB case files.

The board concluded that an autopilot feature on the Boeing Co. 777 that crashed short of the runway in San Francisco on July 6, 2013, contributed to the accident that killed three. Pilots didn’t realize that they had accidentally shut off a feature that normally ensured they would maintain a safe speed, allowing the plane to get dangerously slow.

“We have learned that pilots must understand and command automation, and not become over-reliant on it,” NTSB Chairman Christopher Hart said after the board reached its conclusions. “The pilot must always be the boss.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-08/driver-automation-to-be-scrutinized-in-ntsb-probe-of-tesla-crash

NTSB to Investigate Crash of Tesla With

Autopilot Engaged

By JOAN LOWY, ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Jul 8, 2016

A federal official says a second safety agency will investigate the fatal crash of a Tesla sedan while the vehicle's Autopilot self-driving mode was in use.

Rob Molloy heads the National Transportation Safety Board's highway investigations division. Molloy says a team of investigators will go to Florida next week to examine the wreckage of the Tesla Model S.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced last week that it is investigating the May 7 crash near Gainesville to see if the Autopilot system is defective.

The agency has said a truck made a left turn front of the car, but neither the Autopilot nor the driver applied the brakes. The driver was killed.

Molloy says NTSB's investigation will take a comprehensive look at the entire incident.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/ntsb-investigate-crash-tesla-autopilot-engaged-40441252

Consumer Watchdog: Tesla “rushing,” should disable Autopilot immediately

BY TODD HASELTON | JULY 8, 2016

In a letter to Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Friday, Consumer Watchdog called Musk’s response to a fatal Tesla Model S Autopilot crash “woefully inadequate” and called on the company to immediately turn off the Autopilot feature on all active Tesla vehicles.

Consumer Watchdog specifically noted Musk’s “inexplicable delay” in responding to the crash, but added that Tesla’s Autopilot technology simply isn’t ready for the road. “An autopilot whose sensors cannot distinguish between the side of a white truck and a bright sky simply is not ready to be deployed on public roads,” the group said. “Tesla should immediately disable the autopilot feature on all your vehicles until it can be proven to be safe. At a minimum, Autopilot must be disabled until the complete results of NHTSA’s investigation are released.” The group pointed to Tesla’s “beta mode” option that seems to suggest it isn’t ready for public roads.

As we reported earlier this week, Tesla is working to deploy Autopilot 2.0, which may use two cameras to help a camera know more about its surroundings. That might help address some of Consumer Watchdog’s concerns, but it still wants Tesla to take the responsibility when Autopilot fails. “Tesla must assume liability for any crashes that occur when the feature is engaged,” the group said. “Both Volvo and Mercedes have said they will accept liability when their self-driving technology is responsible for a crash.”

Consumer Watchdog ended its letter accusing Tesla of “rushing self-driving technologies to the highways  prematurely.”

http://www.technobuffalo.com/2016/07/08/consumer-watchdog-tesla-autopilot-liability/