Tesla In Self-Driving Mode Crashes Into Squad Car After Driver Falls Asleep At Wheel: Police

SOUTH BARRINGTON, IL — A Lake in the Hills man who crashed his car into a police squad car after putting his Tesla into self-driving mode and then fell asleep at the wheel has been cited.

Joseph Fresso, 43, of the 0 to 100 block of Chadwick Court in Lake in the Hills, has been cited for failure to yield one full lane or reduce speed and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident in connection with the October 15 collision in South Barrington.

The crash happened at about 10:35 p.m. when the 2022 Tesla Model Y, which was headed east on Route 62, ran into the squad car of a South Barrington Police Department officer. The squad car was stopped on Route 62 west of Penny Road with its emergency lights activated as officers investigated an incident in the eastbound right lane.

The collision lead to the squad car being pushed into a Mack truck, which had just been pulled over by the officers, police said. The driver of the Tesla, who was identified as Fresso, told police he'd fallen asleep while the Tesla was in self-driving mode and woke up too late to avoid the crash.

The two South Barrington Police Department officers who were at the scene and the driver of the Mack truck were taken by ambulance to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates with injuries that are not considered life-threatening. They were later released.

While investigating the incident, officers found a loaded pistol in Fresso's belongings and learned he did not hold a valid Firearm Owner Identification Card. He was charged with possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card in connection with the incident.

William Walsh, media relations officer for the Barrington Hills Police Department, said that "although there is a section on the Illinois crash report to indicate whether the vehicle is equipped with automation or if it was engaged, Illinois law does not differentiate in the crash reporting requirements for vehicles equipped with or using automation."

Fresso is next expected in court on December 3.