2 federal agencies probing fatal Tesla crash

DETROIT — Two federal agencies are sending teams to investigate the fatal crash of a Tesla near Houston in which local authorities say no one was behind the wheel.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board said Monday they will send investigators to Spring, Texas, to look into the fiery Saturday night crash. Two men who were in the Tesla were killed.

Investigators are “100% sure” that no one was driving the Tesla that missed a curve on a residential road, hit a tree and burst into flames, Harris County Constable Mark Herman said.

But they’re still trying to determine whether the electric car was operating on Tesla’s Autopilot driver-assist system, or if the company’s “Full Self-Driving Capability” system was in use.

One of the men was found in the front passenger seat of the badly burned car, and the other was in the back seat, Herman told The Associated Press on Monday.

“We are actively engaged with local law enforcement and Tesla to learn more about the details of the crash and will take appropriate steps when we have more information,” the traffic safety agency said Monday.

The transportation safety board is sending two investigators who will focus on the vehicle’s operation and the fire, spokesman Keith Holloway said.

Tesla has had serious problems with its Autopilot partially automated driving system, which has been involved in several fatal crashes in which it didn’t spot tractor trailers crossing in front of it, stopped emergency vehicles or a highway barrier.