Kyle Shanahan says his Tesla was on autopilot before accident
NBC Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Four weeks after his car accident, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan held his first formal press conference during 2026 training camp, admitting fault and reflecting on the incident.
- Shanahan explained the accident occurred while he was operating his Tesla on autopilot, but he took his eyes off the road to retrieve a dropped phone, emphasizing that drivers must remain attentive even when using autopilot.
- He expressed feeling no overwhelming guilt but acknowledged the accident was a serious lesson about the risks of over-reliance on driver-assist technology.
- Shanahan reported that he is feeling better physically, though he still experiences headaches and fatigue, and confirmed he will coach in the preseason opener against the Titans.
- The key unresolved question remains whether the Tesla’s autopilot malfunctioned or was accidentally disengaged when Shanahan turned to get his phone.
