PHILADELPHIA — A 23-year-old woman has been charged in connection with a fatal crash that left two men dead after she allegedly struck their disabled vehicles while allegedly using hands-free driving technology on a highway near Philadelphia, authorities said.
Dimple Patel is facing charges including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, involuntary manslaughter, and prohibited text-based communications, according to the Pennsylvania State Police. The incident occurred shortly before 3:30 a.m. on March 3 near mile marker 26.
Troopers said the crash involved two disabled vehicles parked on the side of the road. Aktilek Baktybekov’s Toyota Prius had broken down on the left shoulder and was partially protruding into the left lane. Tolobek Esenbekov, who had parked his Hyundai Elantra behind the Prius, was stepping out of his car when Patel’s Ford Mustang Mach-E rear-ended the Elantra at speeds between 71 and 72 mph. Both men were struck and died from their injuries.
Authorities said Patel was using the BlueCruise hands-free driving feature and the Adaptive Cruise Control system at the time of the crash. Additionally, troopers determined Patel had been texting while driving.
State Police emphasized that drivers using hands-free driving technology must remain alert and ready to take control of their vehicle. “No partially automated vehicle technology should ever be left alone to perform the driving tasks that are required to safely navigate the roads of the Commonwealth,” Trooper Paul Holdefer said in a statement.
Patel remains in custody and is awaiting further legal proceedings.