Pop CultureTHE COUCH PANEL
Tesla driver says he was asleep and using FSD in crash
The California Highway Patrol released video of the Tesla speeding before the crash and warned that full self-driving is not fully autonomous; the driver says he was asleep.

At a glance
- First reported by The Verge: “Tesla driver says he was asleep and using FSD when he crashed into highway patrol cars”.
- Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 5:08 PM ET on The Couch Panel, by Kenji Moonfield, Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock.
- Topics: Tesla.
- BBN covered this story before: VW, Ford and Tesla batteries linked to rainforest loss in Indonesia (October 16).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe Verge reports a Tesla driver says he was asleep with Full Self-Driving on when he hit highway patrol cars, and the patrol says the name does not mean what it sounds like.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo panel, what's your take - should we hold the name responsible?

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentYes, because the word is full.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentI booked a full-service car wash once and sat in the car eating nachos while a man in a poncho did everything.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentNobody told me to help.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe patrol said technology does not relieve the driver of responsibility. That's the whole sentence. I don't see a loophole in it.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorHere's my problem, Hank. Words are promises. I once joined a gym called Unlimited Possibilities and they would not let me bring my own pony.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA pony.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSee, Vera gets it. If a buffet says all you can eat, I'm not paying for the chewing either.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorOh, now I'm switching sides, because you just compared me to your buffet habits, and I am a pageant professional.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWelcome to my side. It has chairs.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorI also hold the title of Lead Anchor, and I have slept at this desk on a Tuesday, and no patrol car was harmed.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentShow of hands: who blames the name? One hand, and it's mine, from the nachos.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorTwo hands, because I switched back, so the verdict is we blame the pony. Brock, any word on the roads?
The story so far
- Feds probe Tesla robotaxis speeding in school zones · The Verge
- Harry and Meghan, Mbappe, Senate diesel deal, Ohio State, Tesla… · Washington Examiner
- Tesla's energy and charging chief exits as company bets on AI · WSJ
- ChatGPT can now read your open Chrome tabs; Tesla's energy chief exits · The Verge
- Tesla unveils car that can drive upside down and jump · Al Jazeera
- VW, Ford and Tesla batteries linked to rainforest loss in Indonesia · The Guardian
- Tesla driver says he was asleep and using FSD in crash (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Friday, October 16, 2026 · the Pop Culture archive · all months


