The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a federal investigation into Tesla after a fatal crash in Texas involving a vehicle operating in self-driving mode.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, resulted in the death of a woman after the car sped into a home.
The driver stated he was using the company's autonomous driving technology at the time of the collision.
The probe marks a significant escalation in regulatory oversight of Tesla's driver-assistance systems.
While the company has faced numerous safety inquiries in the past, a federal investigation triggered by a fatality involving Autopilot or Full Self-Driving (FSD) features draws intense scrutiny from both regulators and investors.
The NHTSA's involvement signals that authorities are examining whether a systemic defect in the software or hardware contributed to the accident.