49ers coach Shanahan addresses autopilot role in July crash
Kyle Shanahan says he is near full strength and plans to lead the team against the Titans, while acknowledging shared responsibility for the incident involving his Tesla.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan publicly addressed the circumstances of his July 14 car accident for the first time since training camp began, confirming that his Tesla Model S was operating on autopilot at the time of the collision. Shanahan stated the incident occurred after he dropped his phone and looked away from the road, causing his vehicle to cross into oncoming traffic.
The 46-year-old coach sustained a severe concussion, three broken ribs, a broken left hand, and a broken nose, requiring over 40 stitches. Shanahan clarified that he was responsible for crossing into the opposing lane, rather than the 21-year-old driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash. He expressed regret for the avoidable nature of the accident, noting the potential for serious harm to others.
Shanahan indicated uncertainty regarding the specific technical cause of the crash, stating he could not determine if the autopilot system malfunctioned or if he inadvertently disengaged the feature while retrieving his phone. He described himself as "pretty comfortable" with the technology, having used it for nine years, but emphasised that driving remains a partnership where the driver must maintain attention on the road.
"I try not to come in here every single day because I feel like, if I did, I wouldn't be able to pull off my normal routine," Shanahan said, explaining that he has reduced some coaching duties to aid his recovery. He noted that Assistant Head Coach Chris Foerster has been assisting with responsibilities during this period.
Despite the injuries and reduced workload, Shanahan confirmed he is roughly at full strength and intends to coach the 49ers’ preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. He entered his 10th season with the team, which holds an 82-67 regular-season record and two NFC titles under his tenure, though both championship runs ended in Super Bowl losses to the Kansas City Chiefs.
