The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a federal investigation into Comma.ai, the startup known for its aftermarket driver-assistance technology, following five reported collisions. Two of these crashes resulted in three deaths, while others left up to 11 people injured, some seriously.
According to the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), the incidents share a common factor: the Comma devices failed to detect or respond to slow-moving or stationary vehicles in the same lane. The agency also noted that at least one of the fatal accidents may have involved modified or “forked” versions of the company’s openpilot software.
One fatal crash occurred in February 2026 in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. A 2022 Toyota RAV4 running FrogPilot, a third-party variant of openpilot, struck a stopped emergency response vehicle. Louisiana State Police confirmed that two rear-seat passengers in the Toyota died in the collision, aligning with details released by the NHTSA.
Comma.ai, founded in 2015 by hacker George Hotz, offers hardware and software that can control adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering in compatible vehicles. The company markets its system as performing functions similar to Tesla’s Autopilot and GM’s Super Cruise, aiming to reduce driver stress. However, like major automakers, Comma.ai warns users that they must remain prepared to take manual control at any moment. The device employs a camera-based monitoring system to track driver attention.
Hotz stepped away from the company’s day-to-day operations in 2022 to pursue other artificial intelligence projects. Neither Comma.ai nor Hotz immediately returned requests for comment regarding the investigation.
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