Woman accused of using hands-free driving while intoxicated kills two people
Tragedy on the Highway: Premed Student Charged with DUI in Fatal Crash
In a shocking turn of events, 23-year-old Dimple Patel, a Premed student from Philadelphia, turned herself in to authorities on Tuesday, charged with being intoxicated while using a partially automated car that hit and killed two men standing on the shoulder of I95 in Philadelphia last March.
The Fateful Crash
According to police, the victims, both natives of Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia, but living in Northeast Philadelphia at the time, were standing on the shoulder of I95 near the Betsy Ross Bridge interchange around 3:30 am. Their car had broken down and was partially in the left lane. Patel, who was operating her 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-e with its blue Cruise hands-free driving feature activated, was traveling at a speed of over 70 mph when she struck the men.
Ford’s Blue Cruise Technology
The Ford Mustang Mach-e is equipped with an available feature called Ford Blue Cruise, which allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel while the system accelerates, brakes, and steers the vehicle within the lane. The technology uses an advanced infrared driver-facing camera to track the driver’s gaze and head position to ensure they are paying attention to the road while in hands-free mode.
Investigation and Charges
Police say the Cruise control was activated when Patel hit the men, and an attorney for Patel has stated that the state police indicated that the vehicle was in a self-driving mode of some kind. Patel is facing multiple charges, including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and involuntary manslaughter.
Second Crash Involving Ford Mustang Mach-e
This incident is not the first crash involving a Ford Mustang Mach-e. According to reports, this was at least the second crash this year involving a mock-e hitting a stationary car after dark. Ford has stated that they are working with state and federal authorities to review the crash.
Reactions and Statements
Friends of the victims have spoken out, saying that the two men were beloved members of their community. An attorney for Patel has also released a statement, saying that they are looking forward to resolving the matter in court.
Conclusion
The tragic crash has left the community in shock, and the charges against Patel are a stark reminder of the importance of responsible driving. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what factors contributed to the crash and what consequences Patel will face.
