A man suspected of being cruising around the Bay Area in the backseat of a driverless Tesla has been arrested, the California Highway Patrol said, noting that he had also been cited late last month.
Param Sharma, 25, was arrested and booked into Santa Rita Jail on two counts of reckless driving and disobeying a peace officer, the CHP Golden Gate Division said.
The CHP on Saturday shared two photos on its Facebook page that show a man in the back seat of the car and what looked like an empty driver’s seat, saying it was aware of the “unusual situation” and asking the public to report any similar sightings.
The CHP said it received numerous calls Monday evening reporting someone riding in the backseat of a Tesla Model 3 with nobody at the wheel as it traveled eastbound on Interstate Highway 80 across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge toward Oakland.
A CHP officer at the toll plaza located the car, confirmed the lone person in the backseat and made an enforcement stop, the agency said.
“The officer observed the individual move into the driver’s seat,” the CHP said. “The occupant then brought the Tesla to a stop on the shoulder of I-80 eastbound just west of Powell Street, where the officer arrested Sharma.”
Sharma had previously been cited “for similar behavior” on April 27, the CHP said.
34 comments
Looks like this idiot is the ultimate backseat driver.
You’re right…he is an idiot!!!
and whats the problem
i would think this guys judgement is flawed so better he is not behind the wheel…..
besides what will the DA do he is obviously not white so he will be pleaded down and back in his vehicle anyways
you allow vehicles with autonomous driving
what did you think would happen ….
get over it
From the smirk on his face he could careless that he has broken the law 2 times at least seen breaking the law. They should take away his license permanently since he does not seem to drive his vehicle. He should also be fined steep enough to make an impression.
He doesn’t care about anyone else’s safety. But then again we live in California where anything goes these days.
What a loser.
Should have made the vehicle stop on the bridge. Then thrown him off.
Best response
Bad Karma for Sharma
And now there are 2 idiots.
Seems rather simple, if he’s not driving, he doesn’t need a drivers license.
Seems rather simple: If he doesn’t have a driver license then he doesn’t need a vehicle and the State should seize it for forfeiture.
Slow Learner:
I doubt he’ll stop until he’s either locked up or injures himself or someone else.
In today’s world this guy was bound to happen. I get shocked by nothing. Stay tuned more idiots to follow with tricks of their own.
It appears that getting arrested in not a deterrent for him. We will have to wait until he causes an accident I guess.
Throw the ***** book at him and take away his drivers license.
Here lies the rub. Is he driving? I guess so. I was a little curious how he got to the front seat when the police pulled him over. Must have been a scramble.
I guess we should vote on a punishment:
1) Place his unattended and unlocked Tesla in the worst section of Antioch or Oakland for a week as a ‘test’.
2) Place Sharma in a local crosswalk and let driverless vehicles pass in his direction.
3) Make Sharma the star attraction at a piñata party, attended by victims of distracted driving.
And remember, only vote once!
I vote for #1.
Any fine or penalty imposed will be overturned in 1,2,3 years when autonomous driving is approved.
108RS
So if the car is driverless, how do you issue a driving infraction? What happens when two idiots are in the back seat?
Interesting point. the vehicle code specifically says “drive”, not “operate”. So it would really come down to what the definition of “driving” is. I know that for purposes of DUI, a sole vehicle occupant in the back seat is considered to be driving (with some exceptions) even if the vehicle is parked.
I would love to see how this plays out in court.
Since the car was driving without a license, I guess they will cite Tesla, rather than the idiot in the back seat who knew he was breaking the law. Kleptofornica always goes after the Big Bucks.
I wish they would put this kind of energy into the people who Burned Looted and Murdered for almost 9 months.
They put a lot of energy into protecting people who loot, assault, commit arson and murder FROM prosecution. You can thank Becton and her “Magic Wand”, you know, the one she used at her backyard wedding.
A technology created problem that can be solved with technology as well.
Tow his car, mandatory 30 day hold for reckless driving, so he cant get it back.
Which is hilarious because he’s driving a model 3.
Even more hilarious.
On Wednesday, Param Sharma bailed himself out of Santa Rita, purchased another Tesla and rode in the backseat to an interview with KTVU news to talk about his arrests.
“I have unlimited money to blow on Teslas. If you take away my Tesla, I will get another Tesla. That’s how it works,” Sharma said.
I foresee the CHP obtaining a No Bail/No Cite warrant for Sharma under the “likely to continue” exception. Let see how cavalier Sharma is when he gets arrested, taken to county jail, dressed out, assigned to protective custody and waits in jail like the “blue collar” people he looks down upon, for his next court appearance…
What a Jackass
And he’s obviously single! Get in line ladies!
put him in jail for a good long time, revoke his drivers license and sell his car
He said on the news if they take his car he will buy another. It must be nice.
Thinks cuz he’s rich he can do as he pleases. He has publicly scorned others who have less $$$ than him. He cares nothing about anything but himself. Pull his license, impound his car (with his money it won’t matter how long), and jail him for the maximum the law allows.
ill gotten gains for sure!
New reported he stated to law enforcement “I am very rich”.
Guess you can’t buy common sense or brains no matter how many assets you have. He can pay for a chauffeur so take away car-impound it to pay down the state’s debt or better yet give it to a homeless person to live in and not allow this foolish idiot to ever drive again.
Comments are closed.