Man Fakes Injuries behind a Tesla but Didn't Expect He'd Be Caught on Camera

Arthur Bates Jr. claimed that a car hit him and caused several injuries while backing out. However, footage captured him staging the whole scene.

On September 3, Slidell Police Department officers responded to an alleged hit-and-run in Fremaux Avenue, Los Angeles.

According to 47-year-old Arthur Bates Jr., he was a victim of a driver’s negligence, who hit him while backing out his Tesla.

“Bates was complaining of back, leg, and neck injuries, resulting in an ambulance and fire truck to be dispatched to the location,” Slidell Police Department said.

Bates’ account opened an investigation until the Tesla driver was found and questioned by the authorities. However, what the officers learned through the driver completed their inquiry. According to the Tesla owner:

“Bates intentionally jumped behind his vehicle and staged the accident.”

The driver provided the authorities with his back car camera footage that captured Bates falsifying the whole incident.

A California man was arrested for having his Tesla on self-drive while seated behind the back seat.

The police department agreed with the driver upon seeing the video evidence and arrested Bates. He was charged with False Swearing with the Intent to Cause an Emergency Response.

This incident was not the first time a Tesla captured a hit-and-run incident as it previously served as witness to a bus’ negligence.

In the footage, a man saw a swerving city bus hit his car and speed away from the scene. Immediately, an alert was sent to the driver’s phone, and four videos from different angles were automatically saved from the occurrence.

Tesla, one of the most advanced car brands, previously upgraded their software to have 360-degree cameras switched on even when the car is off.

Other brands have also equipped their cars with the right technology that can protect their drivers. Some Cadillacs have had four outward-facing cameras in place since 2016, while some Chevrolets have a Valet Mode feature to record parking attendants.

In addition, other high-end car brands such as BMW and Volvo have face censors installed that can monitor when a driver looks drowsy, drunk, or distracted.

Tesla also has another feature where cars can drive on autopilot. However, this is sometimes misused by drivers.

In May, a California man was arrested for having his Tesla on self-drive while seated behind the back seat. He was driving in the Bay Area on Interstate 80 when citizens saw and reported him.