A 28-year-old man, Kevin George Aziz Riad, has been sentenced to two years of probation after pleading no contest to two counts of vehicular manslaughter. Riad was driving a Tesla Model S on autopilot in 2019 when it ran a red light in Gardena and crashed into a car, resulting in the death of two individuals. If Riad violates his probation, he could face a four-year prison sentence.
The sentence was handed down on June 22 following the no contest pleas. Along with probation, Riad must complete 31 days of work for Caltrans or another approved group, 100 hours of community service, 90 days of house arrest, and a hospital and morgue program.
This case marks the first felony prosecution against a driver utilizing widely available partial-autopilot technology in the United States.
The fatal crash occurred on December 29, 2019, when Riad was driving west on Artesia Boulevard and ran a red light at Vermont Avenue. The collision took place at a speed of 74 mph with a Honda Civic. The crash resulted in the death of Gilberto Alcazar Lopez, 40, of Rancho Dominguez, and Maria Guadalupe Nieves-Lopez, 39, of Lynwood, who were on their first date at the time.
Riad, along with his girlfriend who was also in the car, sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital following the crash.
In a March 2022 preliminary hearing, Los Angeles police Officer Alvin Lee testified that multiple traffic signs warned drivers to slow down as they approached the end of the freeway. Riad, who was traveling from Orange County, could only recall smoke and deployed airbags before being hospitalized.
According to Tesla engineer Eloy Rubio Blanco’s testimony based on crash data from the car, the Tesla’s steering wheel remained near the center, indicating that Riad’s hand was on the steering wheel leading up to and at the time of the collision. However, no brakes were applied in the six minutes prior to the crash.
Riad’s attorney, Arthur Barens, argued for the charges to be reduced to misdemeanors, stating that any negligence by Riad would have resulted in a citation under normal circumstances. However, the judge disagreed.
Tesla’s website states that anyone using its autopilot must remain fully attentive, with their hands on the wheel and ready to take control at any moment. The system relies on torque sensors in the steering wheel to determine if someone is actively driving.
The charges of two counts of vehicular manslaughter were filed against Riad in October 2021, nearly two years after the crash occurred. He was released on bail throughout the court proceedings.
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