A Tesla driver has been jailed for her part in a hit-and-run in Melbourne, which was falsely blamed on the car’s autopilot function. Image source: fabrikasimf, via Freepik.
A Melbourne driver, who hit a pedestrian and blamed the autopilot feature in her Tesla Model 3 for the crash, has been jailed.
In 2022, Nicole Lagos was hit when she was stepping onto the road to board a tram. The driver, Sakshi Agrawal, fled from the scene.
When questioned, Agrawal falsely claimed that she was using her Tesla’s autopilot function at the time of the crash. She told police that Lagos “jumped in front of the car”.
Crash analysis later showed that Agrawal did not slow down before hitting Lagos. The police investigation found that the autopilot function was not turned on in Agrawal’s Tesla.
Finally, it was revealed that Agrawal sped up to nearly 80 kilometres per hour after hitting Lagos, fleeing the site.
Lagos was struck at 58 kilometres per hour and was thrown an estimated 10 metres from the scene. Lagos stated that the crash left her with permanent disabilities, including brain damage.
In her victim impact statement, Lagos stated she was “haunted by an ever-present uncertainty she cannot fulfil her professional, social and romantic aspirations”.
Agrawal’s lawyer explained that the claim of the autopilot feature being to blame was an attempt to “rationalise her own conduct”.
Judge Peter Rozen said that Agrawal’s actions were not just based on inattention and he concluded she knew the risks of her driving.
“You made a conscious decision … to undertake a dangerous manoeuvre on the road. You did not stop to assist as required by law and common decency,” said Judge Rozen.
“I cannot be satisfied that you left the scene to protect yourself … I accept your counsel’s submission that you panicked.”
After two years, Agrawal finally changed her plea to guilty last month. She has been sentenced to nine months in jail.
She has been charged with dangerous driving causing serious injury and failing to stop after a motor vehicle accident.
The maximum penalties for these charges are five and 10 years.
“You were 23 at the time of the offending, you have your entire adult life ahead of you,” said Judge Rozen when delivering his sentence.
“Your prospects of rehabilitation are excellent.”
Judge Rozen went on to state that dangerous driving cases, particularly involving young drivers without a criminal record, were common.
“A message must be sent by the courts, particularly for young drivers,” he said.
“The tragic reality is this court sees far too many cases just like this one.”
