Florida Dingus Arrested After Tesla Stops on Interstate

A Florida dingus is facing a DUI charge after authorities say she was found asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla stopped in the middle of Interstate 75.

According to state police, Kimberly Brown, 37, was found around 2 a.m. on Friday, April 24, on I-75 in Sarasota, Florida.

Authorities say Brown was intoxicated at nearly twice the legal limit and was using the vehicle’s Autopilot feature.

Florida State Trooper Kenn Watson called the situation extremely dangerous, saying Brown should not have been driving.

“Unfortunately, she was intoxicated more than twice the legal limit and had made the assumption that the Tesla would get her home safely,” Watson said.

Officials say the vehicle’s safety features ultimately caused it to stop.

According to Alistair Weaver, editor at Edmunds, Tesla’s Autopilot system includes driver monitoring features that make sure the person behind the wheel is paying attention.

“You must pay attention,” Weaver said, explaining that the system can warn the driver and eventually shut down if the driver is not alert.

Troopers say that eye-detection feature is why Brown’s Tesla eventually came to a halt.

Authorities say the case is a reminder that Autopilot is meant to be an assist tool — not a replacement for an alert, sober driver.

Brown was arrested and charged with DUI.