Safety regulator opens probe into deadly Tesla crash

• The NHTSA and Tesla did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

Earlier this month, a Tesla Model S crash killed three occupants and injured three workers when it struck construction equipment along Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach, the OC Register reported.

The big picture: The NHTSA has, in previous months, looked into how Tesla's autopilot function works around crash scenes.

• It also opened a probe into a feature that lets drivers play video games on the front-center touch screen while the car is in motion.

Catch up fast: Tesla recently had to recall and update the software for thousands of its vehicles using the Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta program because it may allow some models to conduct "rolling stops" at intersections.

• The NHTSA last year also questioned Tesla's lack of a software recall when it updated its Full Self-Driving software, so the system could detect flashing emergency vehicle lights in low light conditions and adjust vehicle speed in response.

• Federal law requires automakers to submit a recall when they issue an "over-the-air" update that mitigates a defect that poses an unreasonable risk to drivers.

Go deeper: Tesla delays Cybertruck until 2023