Vacaville police arrested an unidentified motorist on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, after he was discovered passed out behind the wheel of a moving Tesla.
Officers were alerted to the vehicle by a concerned caller who witnessed the black electric car cruising through city streets in broad daylight while the driver appeared to be completely unconscious.
Upon intercepting the vehicle around 11 a.m., police found the man asleep in the driver’s seat while the car operated in autopilot mode, surrounded by a pizza box and a pack of mini wine bottles scattered across the passenger side.
Initial responders were unsure if the man was suffering a medical emergency until a field investigation confirmed he was heavily under the influence of both alcohol and marijuana.
The Vacaville Police Department utilized the incident to issue a stern warning regarding the limitations of autonomous driving technology.
"California drivers are permitted to use newer assistive driving safety features," the department stated, emphasizing that the law still requires operators to be "conscious, alert, and not under the influence" regardless of the vehicle's tech capabilities.
The arrest highlights a growing trend of "autopilot abuse" as drivers increasingly over-rely on self-driving features to compensate for physical impairment.
While the Tesla’s onboard systems successfully navigated the street without a collision, the legal repercussions for the driver remain severe.
The motorist now faces multiple DUI charges, serving as a high-profile reminder that "assistive" does not mean "unsupervised."