Patel's defense attorney has indicated that the role of the BlueCruise system will be critically examined in the upcoming legal proceedings.

Pennsylvania State Police have emphasized that drivers using advanced technologies must remain ready to take control of their vehicles at all times.

Dimple Patel, a 23-year-old pre-med student from Philadelphia, has been charged with DUI homicide and involuntary manslaughter following a fatal crash that occurred on March 3.

At the time of the crash, Patel was reportedly driving approximately 71 mph while utilizing both BlueCruise and Adaptive Cruise Control.

The incident took place around 3 a.m. on Interstate 95, resulting in the deaths of two men, Aktilek Baktybekov and Tolobek Esenbekov, who were assisting a broken-down vehicle.

Patel's Ford Mustang Mach-E, while using Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving system, struck a stationary vehicle on the shoulder of the highway.

Ford is cooperating with state police and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as investigations into the crash continue.

The NHTSA is specifically reviewing the performance of BlueCruise and its driver monitoring system in light of this incident and a similar crash in Texas.

This crash marks the second investigation this year by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) involving a Mustang Mach-E striking a stationary vehicle at night.

The scrutiny surrounding driver assistance and autonomous vehicle technologies has intensified, as these systems have been linked to several accidents.

This incident is part of a concerning trend, as it is at least the second incident in 2024 involving a Mach-E striking a stationary vehicle under investigation by the NTSB.

In addition to DUI homicide, Patel faces multiple charges including involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving, and she turned herself in to authorities.