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Lompoc residents killed when Tesla crashes into back of semi in Florida

Tesla crash.jpg
Posted at 11:26 AM, Jul 08, 2022
and last updated 2022-07-09 02:51:23-04

Two Lompoc residents were killed this week when their Tesla crashed into the back of a semi-truck in Florida, authorities say.

The Florida Highway Patrol says the 2015 Tesla was heading south on I-75 in Alachua County just before 2 p.m. Wednesday when it exited toward a rest area and for unknown reasons, crashed into the back of a semi parked in the rest area parking lot.

The Tesla driver was identified as a 66-year-old woman from Lompoc and her passenger was identified as a 67-year-old man also from Lompoc. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

The FNH says they do not release victims' names.

The driver of the semi-truck was not injured.

Authorities have not said whether auto-pilot may have played a role in the crash.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirmed Friday that it sent a Special Crash Investigations team to investigate the crash.