Sacramento, CA : Autopilot unlikely factor in Indianapolis crash on Thursday, 3rd November 2016

Tesla Motors said its autopilot feature was unlikely to have been engaged when one of its vehicles crashed near Downtown early Thursday, killing two.

“We are deeply saddened to hear that this accident involved fatalities,” the Palo Alto, Calif.-based company said in a statement released late Thursday.

Casey Speckman, 27, and Kevin McCarthy, 44, were killed when the 2015 Model S crashed into a tree and building near Illinois and 16th streets shortly after 1 a.m. The vehicle disintegrated, leaving a debris field for about 150 yards, according to Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief Rita Reith.

Based on witnesses and evidence at the scene, authorities think the Tesla was speeding when it crashed.

Tesla said the autopilot feature would have topped out at 35 mph on Illinois Street.

The electric car maker said it’s cooperating with Indianapolis police, according to the statement a Tesla representative emailed to IndyStar.

The car was too damaged to transmit data to the company’s servers, Tesla said. That data would show whether the car had been in autopilot mode.

Meanwhile, Speckman was remembered by a close friend and neighbor as "a truly wonderful woman, the most genuine person I've ever met."

Erica Siegelin met Speckman in April 2015 when Speckman and her fiance, Brandon Seniff, moved into a condo next door to Siegelin and her husband near Downtown.

"We connected instantly," Siegelin said. "We bought patio furniture, a fire pit and party lights. We loved the idea of having a shared party space and an open-door policy with our new friends-neighbors."

The 27-year-old lawyer and part-time server at 1933 Lounge at St. Elmo's lit up a room when she entered and made friends with everyone she met, Siegelin said.

Speckman loved dogs, especially her pup, Grizzly. She also loved her job, Siegelin said. "She said the stars had finally aligned for her. We hung outside with our dogs on Tuesday night, and she actually said she was so happy with how her life was going."

Speckman and Seniff were engaged to be married Sept. 22 on the beach in Key West, Fla. The bride-to-be was scheduled to go to Chicago this weekend to see her best friend and maid of honor, Layla Bejanpour, and to look for a wedding dress.

Source :
Autopilot unlikely factor in Indianapolis crash