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DUI suspect caught sleeping in Tesla traveling 70 mph, CHP says
Breitbart ^ | 4:02 PM, DECEMBER 3, 2018 | BOB PONTING

Posted on 12/03/2018 7:52:16 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Two California Highway Patrol Officers came up with a technique on the spot to stop a speeding Tesla Model S with an allegedly drunken driver asleep behind the wheel on the 101 Freeway in Redwood City on Friday, authorities said.

The encounter took place just before 4:30 a.m. on the southbound freeway near Whipple Avenue, the CHP said in a written statement.

The officers saw the car traveling at about 70 mph and realized the driver appeared to be unconscious, officials said. The driver showed no response when the officers activated their emergency lights and sirens while directly behind the Tesla in an attempt to pull it over.

"Officers then positioned their patrol vehicle in front of the Tesla and began slowing directly in front of the Tesla in hoped that the 'driver assist' feature had been activated, and therefore, the Tesla would slow to a stop as the patrol vehicle came to a stop," according to the statement.

They were able to slow the auto-piloted car to a complete stop.

After finally managing to rouse the driver, officers determined he was under the influence of alcohol, CHP officials said. Alexander Samek, 45, of Los Altos was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

"We cannot confirm at this time if the 'driver assist' feature was activated, but considering the vehicle's ability to slow to a stop when Samek was asleep, it appears the 'driver assist' feature may have been active at the time," the statement said.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: alexandersamek; automotive; california; drunk; dui; elonmusk; falcon9; falconheavy; losaltos; redwoodcity; spacex; tesla
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He wasn't driving, so can they really charge him with DUI?
1 posted on 12/03/2018 7:52:16 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

What, no tractor beam?


2 posted on 12/03/2018 7:53:35 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Kinda cool. Technology preventing a tragic accident.


3 posted on 12/03/2018 7:53:46 PM PST by 2banana (Were you)
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To: Paladin2

Being repaired at the shop


4 posted on 12/03/2018 7:55:25 PM PST by dp0622 (The Left should know if.. Trump is kicked out of office, it is WAR!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

He still operated the vehicle when he turned on autopilot. It didn’t turn itself on.


5 posted on 12/03/2018 7:55:42 PM PST by Sasparilla ( I'm Not Tired of Winning)
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To: 2banana

Don’t ya think maybe he drove drunk because he knew he didn’t have to drive.

But can you put in directions all the way home?

And this WOULD save a lot of lives when drunk drivers do drive?!??!

But how many lives are worth freedom?

I dont know. I can barely work the remote.

I need a drink


6 posted on 12/03/2018 7:56:42 PM PST by dp0622 (The Left should know if.. Trump is kicked out of office, it is WAR!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I’m pretty sure in California, simply having the keys and being in the vehicle is enough to make you the driver. Which I’ve been curious about, if the passenger is holding the keys in their purse or pocket, am I really the driver?


7 posted on 12/03/2018 7:57:18 PM PST by kingu (Everything starts with slashing the size and scope of the federal government.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Hilarious!

He’s not guilty.


8 posted on 12/03/2018 7:59:02 PM PST by JPJones (More tariffs, less income tax.)
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To: Sasparilla

So someday when Uber has autonomous vehicles with no driver picking you up and you’re drunk, will you be arrested for DUI?


9 posted on 12/03/2018 8:00:24 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (Democracy dies when Democrats refuse to accept the result of a democratic election they didn't win.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
This story made me think of this old Steven Wright bit:

The other night I came home late, and tried to unlock my house with my car keys. I started the house up. So, I drove it around for a while. I was speeding, and a cop pulled me over. He asked where I lived. I said, "Right here, officer."

10 posted on 12/03/2018 8:01:03 PM PST by Major Matt Mason (Any lover of big government is an enemy of freedom.)
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To: Sasparilla
They have to prove he turned it on while inebriated.
11 posted on 12/03/2018 8:01:59 PM PST by Fungi
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
The auto-assist.


12 posted on 12/03/2018 8:04:01 PM PST by Larry Lucido
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Impressive


13 posted on 12/03/2018 8:04:45 PM PST by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Not if you're in a Johnny Cab! Now drive Ahhnold to terminate fossil fuels, Johnny!


14 posted on 12/03/2018 8:05:28 PM PST by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
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To: Major Matt Mason
One of my favorites.

"I was Caesarean born. Can’t really tell, although whenever I leave a house I go through the window."

15 posted on 12/03/2018 8:05:59 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (Democracy dies when Democrats refuse to accept the result of a democratic election they didn't win.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Interesting the article doesn’t mention that Samek is chair of the Los Altos Planning Commission and runs the real estate developing firm, The Kor Group.


16 posted on 12/03/2018 8:08:33 PM PST by sparklite2 (See more at Sparklite Times)
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To: kingu

The problem arises from people who are sloppy drunk and get in their car trying to get the key in the ignition...they may or may not get it started and may or may not put it into gear and get it on the road so legislators write laws that read, “...operated or attempted to operate while under the influence...”


17 posted on 12/03/2018 8:10:07 PM PST by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)
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To: dp0622
But can you put in directions all the way home?

Yes. And you can even have it start and come TO you. All you have to do is get in and be a passenger, which he was. Court case sure to come.

18 posted on 12/03/2018 8:11:18 PM PST by montag813
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To: E. Pluribus Unum; All

If his Auto Drive was on, then I do not see how that is any different than ridding in a cab.


19 posted on 12/03/2018 8:20:56 PM PST by Enlightened1
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To: montag813

In our area a guy driving a Tesla 30 miles to home had a blood clot in his lungs while on the highway. He put it on auto drive to the hospital and survived. He feels he may very well have died by the side of the road if he’d had to stop and wait on an ambulance in the rural area.


20 posted on 12/03/2018 8:36:23 PM PST by GnuThere
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