Automotive
Tesla driver-assist system was active during fatal Alabama crash, Electrek reports
Electrek reports that federal records show a driver-assist system was engaged in a wreck that killed a mother.
The short version
- A 2021 Tesla Model Y crashed on an Alabama highway in December 2025, killing 29-year-old Kayleigh Page while a bystander rescued her infant daughter.[Electrek]
- State troopers initially documented the collision as a typical single-vehicle accident without referencing automation technology.[Electrek]
- Tesla later filed a federal safety report confirming a driver-assist feature had an engagement status of 'Verified Engaged'.[Electrek]
- Key details about whether the vehicle used basic Autopilot or Full Self-Driving remain unknown due to redacted federal filings.[Electrek]
Key facts
- A 2021 Tesla Model Y crashed on an Alabama highway on December 7, 2025, killing driver Kayleigh Page while her infant daughter was rescued by a passerby.[Electrek]
- State troopers initially logged the wreck as a single-vehicle accident with no mention of driver-assist systems.[Electrek]
- Tesla filed an NHTSA report marking the vehicle's automation engagement status as 'Verified Engaged'.[Electrek]
- Tesla redacted the incident narrative, software version, and operating area details from the filing, citing confidential business information.[Electrek]
What remains uncertain
- It is unknown whether the vehicle was operating under basic Autopilot or Full Self-Driving because the software version was redacted.[Electrek]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.