Tesla influencer Justin Demaree, known as Bearded Tesla Guy, embarked on a cross-country journey in his 2026 Tesla Model Y Juniper, relying entirely on Full Self-Driving (Supervised). However, his trip was cut short unexpectedly when the vehicle encountered a significant issue just outside San Diego, at the very beginning of his journey.

While traveling at a speed exceeding 70 mph, the Model Y Juniper struck a large metallic object. The incident, captured on camera, shows Demaree and his friend speculating about a potential roadkill ahead, only to realize too late it was a metallic girder. Traveling at 77 mph, the vehicle struck the object, briefly going airborne. Crucially, the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system failed to recognize the hazard, neither applying the brakes nor attempting to swerve to avoid the collision.

Fortunately, despite the severity of the impact, no one was injured. The pair pulled over to inspect the damage, which initially appeared minor to the underbody. No warning lights illuminated, and the Tesla seemed capable of driving normally. Shaken, they paused before resuming their journey.

However, the problems resurfaced later in the trip when the car began experiencing charging issues at a Supercharger. This necessitated a stop at a Tesla Service Center in Tucson, Arizona, where technicians conducted a thorough diagnosis. It was determined that the entire battery pack and several suspension components required replacement.

In a subsequent video, Demaree clarified that the battery pack was ultimately replaced under warranty, as technicians traced the problem to pre-existing chemistry issues unrelated to the impact. However, the suspension components and other damage sustained from the collision were not covered, leading to an estimated repair bill in the range of $20,000 for the non-warrantied parts.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the limitations of even the most advanced driver-assistance technologies. While Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is sophisticated, it is not flawless. Drivers must remain vigilant and attentive at all times when such systems are engaged. Ultimately, for stationary objects on the road, it remains the driver’s responsibility to slow down and prevent a collision, regardless of the technology in use. Incidents like this underscore both the potential and the current shortcomings of semi-autonomous driving systems, reinforcing the human driver as the indispensable final line of defense.