Dimple Patel (WCAU/YouTube)
A woman who was allegedly drunk and texting while using hands-free driving technology on her car is behind bars after police say she struck two disabled vehicles on the side of the highway near Philadelphia.
Dimple Patel, 23, is facing a slew of charges including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, involuntary manslaughter and prohibited text-based communications. It happened shortly before 3:30 a.m. on March 3 near mile marker 26, the Pennsylvania State Police said in a press release. Aktilek Baktybekov’s Toyota Prius broke down in the left shoulder and partially stuck out in the left lane, troopers said.
Tolobek Esenbekov had parked his Hyundai Elantra behind the Prius, presumably to help Baktybekov who was standing in front of his car. Esenbekov was stepping out of his car when Patel, driving a Ford Mustang Mach-E, rear-ended the Elantra at 71 or 72 mph, troopers said. Esenbekov and Baktybekov were struck and died from their injuries.
According to the state police, Patel was using the BlueCruise hands-free driving feature as well as the Adaptive Cruise Control system. Troopers also determined she was texting.
People using the hand-free driving feature still need to be able to take control of the vehicle if necessary, Trooper Paul Holdefer said in a statement.
“The Pennsylvania State Police urges drivers to always stay alert and limit distractions when driving,” he said. “No partially automated vehicle technology should ever be left alone to perform the driving tasks that are required to safely navigate the roads of the Commonwealth. While the advancements in technology are immense, always strive to maintain proper control of your vehicle.”
According to Ford’s website, drivers can use the BlueCruise technology on highways. It can accelerate, brake and steer the vehicle in the lane and is supposed to avoid obstacles.
“There is no priority higher than safety at Ford, and we have been collaborating fully with all relevant organizations on the investigations into these incidents. We extend our sympathies to those involved,” a statement from Ford sent to Law&Crime said.
Patel turned herself in to the Pennsylvania State Police and troopers took her to jail on a $200,000 bond which she has since posted.
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