WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. – An 87-year-old Wesley Chapel man has died after his Tesla Model Y SUV veered off a local road while operating in autopilot mode and crashed into a pond on Tuesday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported that the incident occurred at approximately 8:10 p.m. on May 26, 2026. The driver was traveling eastbound on Overpass Road, just east of Infinite Drive, when the vehicle departed the roadway.
State troopers stated that the Tesla struck an electrical box after leaving the road. The vehicle then continued moving forward until it became completely submerged in a nearby pond.
Both people were taken to an area hospital following the crash. The 87-year-old driver later expired from the injuries he suffered during the crash.
A passenger in the SUV, identified by the Florida Highway Patrol as a 75-year-old Wesley Chapel woman, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was also transported to an area hospital for treatment.
READ: Horrific Details Reveal Brutal 1992 Attack Ahead Of Dusty Ray Spencer’s Florida Execution
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
