Right now, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating two fatal crashes – both involving Ford Mustang Mach-E crossovers that crashed into stationary vehicles on the highway, one of which occurred in San Antonio, Texas, and the other, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was suspected – but not confirmed – that both of these accidents happened while Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving assist feature was enabled, though the NTSB hadn’t released too many details as it continues its investigation into both matters. Now, the agency has confirmed that the Ford Mustang Mach-E involved in the earlier Texas incident did indeed have BlueCruise activated at the time of the crash.
This crash happened in late February when the Ford Mustang Mach-E was traveling east on the six-lane Interstate 10 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas at 9:50 pm CT. The EV crossover was approaching Woodlake Parkway and was in the center lane of the road when it ran into a stationary Honda CR-V. Sadly, the driver of the CR-V was killed as a result of the collision, while the Mach-E driver suffered only minor injuries.
According to the NTSB, a witness had come across the stopped CR-V prior to the collision and noted that neither its taillights or hazard lights were illuminated, She was able to change lanes and avoid hitting the Honda, but after she passed it, she saw the Mach-E strike the stopped crossover in her rearview mirror.
“Based on data obtained from the vehicle, the driver had been operating the vehicle in BlueCruise mode before the crash,” the NTSB noted, adding that “All aspects of the crash remain under investigation as the NTSB determines the probable cause, with the intent of issuing safety recommendations to prevent similar crashes.” At this time, Ford is working with the agency and the San Antonio Police Department to complete this investigation.
We’ll have more on this investigation soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Mustang Mach-E news and ongoing Ford news coverage.
Comments
Honda had no working lights? That isn’t safe and liable.
I am a little puzzled how come the drivers of these 2 Mach-Es did not steer around or apply the brakes prior to contact with the parked vehicles. After all BlueCruise requires the driver to keep their eyes on the road to operate. I aways keep my hands on the steering wheel and my foot close to the pedals when I have BlueCruise activated on my Mach-E. Much like when I use standard cruise control.
But there is a problem. Blue cruise or any adaptive cruise control will slow and stop your vehicle in front of you is also moving at some speed also slows and stops. If the car in front 500 ft, 1000 ft or a half mile away and it is stopped in the roadway, you will run into it like it was a bridge abutment. This is not new. My 2016 Audi functioned exactly the same with adaptive cruise control. Regardless of the system, one must keep eyes open and focused on the road ahead. Dealers MUST educate their salespeople and new owners how these system function BEFORE the owner drives away from the dealer.