Suspected DUI Driver Arrested After Tesla-on-Tesla Collision at Spaghetti Bowl

LAS VEGAS, NV — A high-tech collision at one of the valley’s busiest interchanges served as a sobering reminder Tuesday morning that advanced driver-assist features are no substitute for a sober operator.

Spaghetti Bowl Snarl

According to the Nevada State Police, a gray Tesla Model 3 and a black Tesla sedan collided near the transition to I-15. The impact was significant enough to disable both vehicles and cause a substantial traffic backup during the early morning commute.

Two individuals involved in the crash were transported to a local hospital with injuries that authorities described as non-life-threatening. Cleanup crews worked for over an hour to clear the debris and specialized battery-powered components from the travel lanes.

Driver-Assist No Excuse for Impairment

During the on-scene investigation, troopers determined that one of the drivers showed clear signs of intoxication. That individual—whose identity has not yet been released pending formal charges—was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

The crash has prompted a fresh warning from law enforcement regarding the misuse of automated driving systems. “Technology like Autopilot or Full Self-Driving is designed to assist, not replace, the driver,” a Nevada State Police spokesperson said. “Regardless of what features your vehicle has engaged, if you are behind the wheel and impaired, you are in violation of the law and putting lives at risk.”

The accident remains under investigation as troopers work to determine if the vehicles’ driver-assist systems were active at the time of the collision.

Source: Nevada State Police Traffic Bureau / RTC Southern Nevada