Tesla Driver-Assistance Feature Active Seconds Before Fatal New Jersey Crash, Federal Records Show
Federal safety records show that a Tesla driver-assistance system was active shortly before a fatal collision in southern New Jersey that left an 82-year-old man dead.
The crash occurred on July 6, 2025, at the intersection of County Route 671 and Chestnut Avenue in Buena Vista Township. According to New Jersey State Police, troopers responded after a 2019 Tesla Model 3 entered the intersection past a stop sign and collided with a Honda Civic that was making a left turn.
The driver of the Civic, Stephen Field, 82, of Milmay, died from his injuries. The driver of the Tesla and three passengers were transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries.
In a regulatory filing submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Tesla reported that a Level 2 driver-assistance feature was “Verified Engaged” within 30 seconds of the collision.
Under an NHTSA Standing General Order, automakers must report crashes where Level 2 automated driving systems were in use immediately before an impact.
Fred Lambert of Electrek linked the federal crash report to the Buena Vista Township incident by matching the vehicle model, date, time, location, and recorded fatality.
Tesla’s submission did not include several details, including a narrative description of the crash, the specific software version in use, or whether the road fell within the system’s intended operational parameters. Because Tesla redacted the software field, the filing does not specify whether the vehicle was using standard Autopilot or the optional “Full Self-Driving” system.
The filing noted the vehicle’s speed as 4 mph before impact.
NHTSA continues to review crash-reporting practices across the automotive industry, while questions remain regarding what telemetry data state and local investigators receive directly from manufacturers following automated driving crashes.