Boca Raton Man Charged in Hit-and-Run Crash, Claimed Tesla Was on 'Autopilot'

Raul Quintana Menduet allegedly struck a woman in a crosswalk and fled the scene, later telling police the vehicle was in self-driving mode.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:24pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car sensor lens reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a hit-and-run crash involving a self-driving vehicle.The aftermath of a hit-and-run crash involving a self-driving vehicle exposes the fragility of emerging autonomous driving technology.Boca Raton Today

A 58-year-old Miami man has been charged with a felony for allegedly striking a woman in a marked pedestrian crosswalk with his Tesla Cybertruck in Boca Raton, Florida, and then leaving the scene without stopping to render aid. The driver, Raul Quintana Menduet, later told police that the vehicle was in 'autopilot' mode at the time of the collision.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the safety and accountability of self-driving vehicle technology, as well as the legal responsibilities of drivers when crashes occur. It also raises questions about how law enforcement and the courts will handle cases where drivers claim their vehicle was operating autonomously.

The details

According to the police affidavit, on April 4, Quintana Menduet was driving the Cybertruck eastbound in the westbound lanes of Northeast Spanish River Boulevard when he struck a woman crossing the street on her bicycle in a marked crosswalk. After the impact, Quintana Menduet allegedly continued driving into a nearby Publix plaza without stopping. A witness provided police with the vehicle's license plate, leading them to identify Quintana Menduet as the suspected driver. In a phone call with police, Quintana Menduet admitted to hitting the pedestrian but said he kept driving because he saw her get up and thought she was okay. When police later met with him, Quintana Menduet claimed the Cybertruck was in 'autopilot' mode at the time of the crash.

  • The incident occurred on April 4, 2026 in Boca Raton, Florida.
  • Quintana Menduet was arrested by Boca Raton police on April 9, 2026.

The players

Raul Quintana Menduet

A 58-year-old Miami resident who was driving the Tesla Cybertruck involved in the hit-and-run crash.

Boca Raton Police Department

The law enforcement agency that investigated the hit-and-run incident and arrested Quintana Menduet.

Tesla

The manufacturer of the Cybertruck vehicle involved in the crash, which Quintana Menduet claimed was in 'autopilot' mode at the time.

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What they’re saying

“I knew I had hit the pedestrian, but I kept driving after seeing her get up because I thought she was okay.”

— Raul Quintana Menduet, Suspected Driver

“The vehicle was in 'autopilot' mode at the time of the crash.”

— Raul Quintana Menduet, Suspected Driver

What’s next

The case will now move into the court process, with a first appearance or other scheduling step to determine bond conditions and future court dates. Prosecutors in Palm Beach County will decide how the criminal case proceeds.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges and legal ambiguities surrounding self-driving vehicle technology, as well as the responsibilities of drivers when crashes occur. It will likely spur further discussions about how to ensure the safety and accountability of autonomous driving systems.