Philadelphia woman who was driving a partially automated Mustang Mach-E charged with DUI homicide
PHILADELPHIA — A woman was drunk and driving a partially automated driving system when she caused a highway crash in Philadelphia in March that killed two people, authorities said after announcing manslaughter charges against the driver.
According to state and federal investigators, the woman’s Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV struck the stopped vehicle of a man who had stopped on the left shoulder of I-95 to help a man whose car had crashed in front of him. The March collision, which occurred around 3 a.m., killed both men.
At least the crash was the second this year where a Mach-E hits a stationary vehicle in the dark, The NTSB has conducted an investigation. In a February crash on Interstate 10 in San Antonio, Texas, investigators believe a Mach-E struck a Honda CR-V that was in the center lane without its lights on. The driver of the CR-V was killed.
In a statement Tuesday, the Pennsylvania State Police said drivers using advanced technologies should be prepared to regain control at all times.
“No partially automated vehicle technology should ever be left alone to perform the driving tasks necessary to safely navigate the Commonwealth’s roadways,” the agency said.
Ford’s Blue Cruise system lets drivers take their hands off the wheel while the system handles steering, braking and acceleration on highways. The company says the system is not fully autonomous and that it monitors drivers to ensure they’re paying attention to the road.
Philadelphia investigators believe Mustang driver Dimple Patel was traveling at about 71 mph (114 km/h), with both Blue Cruise and Adaptive Cruise Control engaged, when the crash occurred. A fourth vehicle was also struck.
Patel, of Philadelphia, faces multiple charges, including vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence and involuntary manslaughter. She turned herself in to police Tuesday on the charges that were filed last week, state police said. Her attorney did not immediately respond to a phone call seeking comment.
Ford said it was cooperating with both state police and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in investigating the crash, which killed Aktilek Baktybekov, who was breaking down, and Tolobek Esenbekov, who is believed to have stopped in the left rear to help him.
Federal investigators have studied other previous crashes involving partially automated driving systems, most of which have to do with Tesla’s Autopilot.