Ford faces NHTSA probe into 'self-driving' electric Mustang Mach-E that smashed into the back of Honda, killing that car's driver, while in 'partial-automation mode'

Ford is facing a probe by auto safety regulators after the watchdog opened an investigation into a self-driving Mustang after a recent fatal collision. 

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash in San Antonio, Texas, that resulted in the death of Jeffrey Allen Johnson, 56, last month. 

The watchdog said that preliminary information shows the Mustang Mach-E collided with a Honda CR-V while it was stopped in one of the highway lanes.

The vehicle, which is equipped with the company's partially automated driving system known as 'BlueCruise', is currently for sale with starting prices at $39,895.

According to KSAT, the Mach-E driver told police the Honda was stopped in the middle lane with no lights on before the crash around 9:50 p.m.

The watchdog said that preliminary information shows the Mustang Mach-E, seen here, collided with a Honda CR-V while it was stopped in one of the highway lanes

Johnson was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead later that evening, according to a police report seen by the outlet.

Pictures and video from the scene show the Honda on its roof, while the Mustang appears unscathed with its emergency lights on.  

The NTSB said it was investigating the crash 'due to its continued interest in advanced driver assistance systems and how vehicle operators interact with these technologies.'

The NTSB said investigators would 'examine the wreckage and collect information about the accident site and sequence of events leading to the collision.' 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires automakers to report all fatal crashes involving advanced driver assistance systems.

In a statement, Ford said: 'We were recently made aware of this incident and extend our deepest sympathies to those involved. 

'The complete facts of this event are not yet clear. Ford reported this incident to NHTSA as soon as we were made aware, and we are actively researching all available information. 

'Safety is a top priority for all of us at Ford, and we will collaborate fully with any resulting investigation.' 

The vehicle, which is equipped with the company's partially automated driving system known as 'BlueCruise', is currently for sale with starting prices at $39,895

2024 Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles are displayed at a Ford dealership Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in Broomfield, Colorado

BlueCruise is an advanced hands-free driving system that operates on 97% of U.S. and Canadian highways with no intersections or traffic signals. 

This probe is the latest to draw scrutiny from regulators over the use of partially automated vehicles.

Both NHTSA and the NTSB have investigated multiple previous crashes involving partially automated driving systems, most involving Tesla's Autopilot. 

In past investigations, the NTSB has examined how the partially automated system functioned.

The regulators Special Crash Investigations division, which is probing the Texas crash, has launched 55 inquiries into automated technology.

After two fatal crashes in California and Virginia involving Tesla's last year, data from the agency showed they are investigating 42 collisions. 

The regulator ordered a recall of nearly 2.2 million vehicles from the company due to some warning lights on the instrument panel being too small. 

That recall, filed last month, followed a two-year investigation into a series of crashes that happened while the Autopilot partially automated system was in use. 

The agency says its investigation found Autopilot's method of making sure that drivers are paying attention can be inadequate and can lead to 'foreseeable misuse of the system.'

The added controls and alerts will 'further encourage the driver to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility,' the documents said.

Tesla says on its website that its Autopilot and 'Full Self-Driving' systems cannot drive the vehicles, and that human drivers must be ready to intervene at all times.