Pedestrian Killed on I-80 in Vallejo; Driver Says Tesla Was Self-Driving

A Pedestrian Was Struck on Westbound I-80

California Highway Patrol officers from the Solano Area office were called shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, 2026, to a report of a vehicle hitting a pedestrian on westbound Interstate 80 at the Interstate 780 interchange in Vallejo. Emergency crews found a 71-year-old Vallejo man with fatal injuries. CHP has not released his name.

The Driver Said the Tesla Was in Full Self-Driving Mode

The driver of the Tesla, a 26-year-old San Francisco man, stayed at the scene, cooperated with officers and shared dashcam video of the crash. He told CHP that the car was in Full Self-Driving mode when it struck the man.

CHP said a preliminary review of the video showed the Tesla traveling about 70 mph in the second lane from the left when the man entered the freeway from the right shoulder and walked toward the center divider, into the Tesla's path. In a statement, CHP said: "The video showed the Tesla's brakes being applied as the vehicle steered to the left in an effort to avoid the pedestrian. Despite these evasive actions, the right front portion of the Tesla struck the individual."

CHP has not said whether Full Self-Driving played any role in the crash. Tesla's system is a driver assistance feature, and the driver is expected to stay alert and ready to take control.

A Second Vehicle Hit Him and Did Not Stop

CHP said the man appeared to have been struck by at least one more vehicle while he was lying in the traffic lanes. No other vehicle stopped at the scene, and CHP does not have a description of the other vehicle or its driver.

CHP asked anyone who saw the crash or has information about the other vehicles to contact the Solano Area CHP office.

What Families Should Know

When a driver leaves the scene, the family may never get that driver's insurance information. In California, uninsured motorist coverage on the family's own auto policy can sometimes apply to a hit-and-run death, but those policies often have strict notice rules. Dashcam video, vehicle data and freeway camera footage can also be overwritten or lost, so early steps to preserve evidence can matter.

This article does not make any finding about cause or fault. The investigation remains open.

Our thoughts are with the man's family and loved ones.