A Ford Mustang involved in a fatal car crash in Texas in February was using automated driving technology, the US’s accident investigation agency said yesterday.
It is the second accident involving Ford’s 'Blue Cruise' driver-assist system, which is currently under investigation, according to the US's National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
In both cases, a Mustang Mach-E hit vehicles stopped on freeways at night.
Ford, which has stated previously that its assist systems are not designed to replace human drivers, did not comment on the latest reports but referred to earlier statements that it is cooperating in the accident investigations.
Blue Cruise allows 'hands-free' driving while monitoring steering, braking and acceleration on highways.
Semi-automated cars and their safety record are under increasing scrutiny following a series of accidents involving multiple car makers.
Only this week Tesla settled in a case where the driver of one of its semi-autonomous cars was killed when the 'Autopilot' system was in operation.
The EV maker agreed to a deal just a week before the case came to trial, even though previously it had insisted the driver was to blame.
Tesla had said that the driver was playing a video game at the time and failed to take over driving before the crash.