A Tesla Model Y involved in a fatal March 25, 2026, crash in Batavia, Illinois, had Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged before the collision, according to information reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The crash killed Maggie Espinosa, a mother of five, after the Tesla struck her Dodge pickup truck while making a left turn.
Fatal Crash Initially Reported as an Intersection Collision
Espinosa was driving her Dodge pickup truck when the Tesla Model Y attempted to make a left turn and struck her vehicle, according to Batavia police. Espinosa later died from her injuries, leaving five children behind.
The initial report described the incident as an intersection crash. However, subsequent findings indicated that Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system was active at the time of the collision.
NHTSA Report Listed FSD as “Verified Engaged”
The NHTSA has a Standing General Order requiring automakers to report crashes involving a Level 2 or higher system when the system was engaged within 30 seconds of an impact.
According to reporting by Electrek, Tesla submitted a report identifying the Model Y’s FSD system as “verified engaged” before the crash. The last action recorded by the system before impact was “Making Left Turn,” while the vehicle was traveling at 24 miles per hour at an intersection.
Tesla’s report also stated that the vehicle struck the front of the pickup truck, which had the right of way and was traveling straight.
Tesla Redacted Parts of Crash Information
While Tesla’s filing indicated that FSD was active during the crash, other portions of the report were withheld as “confidential business information,” or CBI.
The redacted sections included “Automation feature version (CBI),” “Within ODD? (CBI),” and “Crash narrative (CBI).”
According to the source, the Batavia Police Department said the investigation “remains under investigation and is currently under review by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.” No charges had been filed at the time of the report.
The source also did not state whether Espinosa’s family would pursue a case against Tesla.
Public Police Account Did Not Mention Driver Assistance Systems
The public account of the crash did not mention Autopilot, FSD, or any other driver-assistance system. Tesla’s report to the NHTSA, however, indicated that an automated system was engaged.
Electrek matched information from the NHTSA filing with details from the Batavia Police Department report. Tesla did not publicly provide the additional information identified in the reporting.
The only discrepancy noted between the findings involved the time listed in the local police report and the time the crash was logged in Tesla’s NHTSA report.
FSD, Rather Than Autopilot, Was Likely Making the Turn
Basic Autopilot and Advanced Driver Assistance systems do not make left turns when engaged. They can accelerate and slow down independently but do not navigate through turns.
Full Self-Driving, by contrast, can make left turns, right turns and U-turns. The NHTSA report’s record that the system’s final action was “Making Left Turn” aligned with the conclusion that FSD was active during the collision.
Report Does Not Establish Whether FSD Caused the Crash
Although FSD was active at the time of the collision, there is no definitive proof that the system was responsible for the crash. Additional information that could provide more detail remains redacted by Tesla as confidential business information.
At the time of the report, FSD remained in its beta stage. The available records establish that the system was engaged before the fatal collision, while the investigation into the crash remained under review.
