Kyle Shanahan details Tesla Autopilot involvement in July car accident

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has provided new details regarding a July 14 car accident in Palo Alto, revealing that his Tesla was operating on Autopilot at the time of the collision. Shanahan stated that the accident occurred when he turned away from the road to retrieve a cellphone that had fallen into the backseat. He noted that while he has used the Autopilot system for nine years, he is unsure if the system malfunctioned or if he accidentally deactivated it during the incident.

The crash, which involved a head-on collision with a Mercedes-Benz SUV, resulted in several injuries for Shanahan, including a concussion, broken ribs, a broken nose, a broken hand, and facial lacerations requiring over 40 stitches. The other driver involved sustained only minor injuries. Shanahan took full responsibility for the accident, emphasizing that drivers must remain attentive regardless of whether driver-assistance technology is active.

Despite the injuries, Shanahan confirmed he is recovering well and intends to coach the 49ers in their upcoming preseason exhibition game against the Tennessee Titans. He reported that while concussion-related symptoms like headaches and fatigue linger, he has been participating in team practices and film sessions throughout the summer.