Tesla had denied that any technical fault in its vehicles had caused the deadly Tesla Model 3 taxi crash in France. The company told the French government that it had found no indication of malfunctions or technical failures involved in the crash.
G7, a taxi company based in Paris, has suspended the operation of its 37 Tesla Model 3 vehicles following the accident over the weekend. The driver of one of its vehicles has been arrested and placed under formal investigation. The drive is currently facing possible charges of manslaughter.
A formal investigation indicates there is "serious evidence" incriminating a suspect in a crime. Under French law, an investigation is one step closer to a trial, but such inquiries can be halted at any time.
The accident killed one person and wounded 20 others, three of whom are reportedly now in critical condition. Reports revealed that the G7 taxi appeared to be out of control and ran over several pay-to-ride bicycles, pedestrians, a van, and several metal posts before coming to a halt.
Footage of the accident showed the wreckage of a black Tesla as well as debris scattered over the pavement. The left-hand side of the car was crushed, the front left wheel had fallen, and the windscreen had cracked.
The electric vehicles seemed to have collided with a white van, which sustained damage to its front end. Pictures of the accident that circulated on social media showed members of the public tending to the injured and stunned pedestrians.
Witnesses said the Tesla Model 3 was stopped at a red traffic light before it suddenly sped forward, running over a cyclist who had later died. Police said the driver of the taxi had tested negative after an alcohol test. It was not immediately clear if the driver was operating the electric vehicle using its Autopilot mode.
Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said he had already spoken with the CEO of Tesla Europe, who informed him that the Model 3 had received no safety warnings. He went on to say that the carmaker, which gathers extensive data from sensors and cameras on its vehicles, had already sent technical data to investigators.
G7 Deputy Chief Executive Yann Ricordel said the driver involved in the accident was off duty. Ricordel said the driving claimed that he attempted to brake, but the vehicle instead accelerated.
The U.S. auto safety agency started a formal investigation into over 200 complaints concerning Tesla cars' abrupt acceleration last year, but the regulator eventually claimed there were no faults in Tesla's systems and that the accidents were mostly caused by "pedal misapplication."
