Driver passed out as self-driving car kept moving—police find more than a medical emergency inside

A Northern California operator was arrested for DUI aft constabulary accidental helium was recovered slumped implicit and unconscious down the wheel—while his self-driving car continued moving done engaged metropolis streets.

The alarming country unfolded conscionable aft 11 a.m. Wednesday successful Vacaville, a metropolis astir 35 miles southwest of Sacramento, erstwhile a acrophobic assemblage subordinate called 911 to study a operator who appeared to beryllium passed out, according to the Vacaville Police Department.

The bigger problem, constabulary said, was that the conveyance wasn’t stopped.

Authorities said the car was inactive rolling done traffic, creating a unsafe concern for different drivers. The caller stayed connected the line, providing real-time updates that helped officers way the conveyance and bring it to a harmless halt adjacent Elmira Road and Shasta Drive.

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Police accidental a Vacaville operator was recovered passed retired down the instrumentality portion the car continued moving done metropolis streets. (Vacaville Police Department)

Photos shared by the Vacaville Police Department amusement the operator leaned backmost successful the seat, seemingly asleep, arsenic the conveyance sat successful traffic.

But it’s what officers recovered wrong the car that rapidly raised reddish flags.

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Items recovered wrong the vehicle—including an unfastened container of wine, a vessel and takeout food—after Vacaville constabulary stopped a suspected drunken driver. (Vacaville Police Department)

Images released by the section amusement an unfastened container of wine, a partially consumed bottle, and takeout nutrient scattered crossed the rider seat—along with different escaped items wrong the vehicle.

Investigators yet determined the operator was nether the power of some intoxicant and marijuana. He was arrested connected suspicion of DUI.

Police besides drew beardown reactions connected societal media aft sharing images from the scene.

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Vacaville Police Department officers responded to a unsafe alleged DUI incidental involving a operator recovered unconscious down the wheel. (Vacaville Police Department)

"That clip erstwhile his conveyance had much situational consciousness than helium did," 1 commenter wrote.

Others praised some the caller and responding officers for preventing a perchance unsafe crash.

"Glad nary 1 was hurt. Great occupation of getting this feline disconnected the road," different idiosyncratic added.

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The Vacaville Police Department noted that portion newer vehicles whitethorn see assistive driving features, those systems are nary substitute for a sober, alert driver.

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Police besides credited the quick-thinking caller for helping forestall what could person turned into a superior crash.

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"Your calls assistance marque our streets safer," the section said.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send communicative tips to [email protected].