A tragic highway crash occurred in Philadelphia in March, resulting in the deaths of two people. Authorities have now announced homicide charges against the driver, who was intoxicated and using a partially automated driving system at the time of the incident. The driver’s Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV collided with a stationary vehicle belonging to a man who had stopped on the left shoulder of the highway to assist another driver with a broken-down car. This is not the first incident involving a Mach-E striking a stationary vehicle after dark. In a similar crash in San Antonio, Texas, a Mach-E struck a Honda CR-V that was stopped in the middle lane with no lights on, resulting in the death of the CR-V’s driver.
The Pennsylvania State Police issued a statement emphasizing that advanced technologies in vehicles should never be relied upon to perform driving tasks without driver intervention. The police agency asserted that drivers using these technologies must always be prepared to take control of the vehicle. Ford’s BlueCruise system, which allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel while it handles steering, braking, and acceleration on highways, is not fully autonomous. The company continually monitors drivers to ensure their attention is focused on the road.
According to investigators, the Mach-E driver in the Philadelphia crash, Dimple Patel, was driving at approximately 71 mph (114 kph) and was utilizing both BlueCruise and Adaptive Cruise Control at the time of the incident. Patel, a 23-year-old pre-med student from Philadelphia, now faces multiple charges, including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and involuntary manslaughter. She turned herself in to the police on these charges.
In response to the crash, defense lawyer Zak Goldstein expressed condolences for the victims but pointed out that Pennsylvania law on DUI-related homicides requires that the DUI directly caused the homicide. If the crash was caused by a failure in the self-driving or driving system, it may not legally be considered a homicide by DUI, even if the driver was intoxicated. Goldstein acknowledged the lack of case law on this particular issue in Pennsylvania.
Ford has stated that it is cooperating with both the state police and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in investigating the crash. The company has emphasized its commitment to safety and is actively reviewing the incident. Federal investigators have previously studied crashes involving partially automated driving systems, particularly those involving Tesla’s Autopilot.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder that while advanced driver-assistance systems can enhance safety, drivers should never rely solely on these systems and must remain attentive and ready to take control of their vehicles at all times. The case also raises important legal questions regarding the responsibility of drivers and manufacturers in incidents involving automated driving technologies. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial that legislation and case law evolve to address these emerging challenges and ensure the safe integration of these systems on our roads.