In one of two photos posted on the CHP's Golden Gate Division Facebook page, a slightly blurry image shows a side view of the dark four-door sedan, driving past an industrial backdrop with no one in the front seats and only one person, a man in a baseball cap, sitting in the back on the passenger side.
A second photo appears to show the vehicle parked and the backseat passenger grinning. The freeway photo appears to have been taken on Interstate 880 or perhaps the Bay Bridge toll plaza given the container cranes in the background.
The CHP posted the photos along with a message saying it was investigating and urging people to promptly report "an unusual incident such as this occurring" as soon as possible.
"The CHP has been made aware of an incident involving a man riding in the backseat of a Tesla, which appears to be utilizing the 'Full Self-Driving Capability' package while traveling on Bay Area roadways, with no other person being seated in the driver seat," the Facebook post reads.
Some of those who commented on Facebook said they thought the photos were fake and there was actually someone dressed in black crouching in the driver's seat with a hand — or foot — on the wheel.
A Tesla owner said it was impossible to operate the car in full self-driving mode without a person in the driver's seat and sensors detecting a hand on the wheel. That comment prompted replies sharing a Consumer Reports story that its researchers "tricked" the Tesla into driving itself with no one behind the wheel as well as some online videos showing Teslas driving themselves.
While the technology exists for autonomous cars to operate without humans behind the wheel, it is illegal on California streets and highways. In 2018, a driver in Mountain View died after his car crashed while reportedly using an autopilot feature.
Tesla has blamed operators in a number of crashes that occurred using self-driving features. Federal safety officials have clashed with the automaker over whether proper precautions are being taken to assure drivers are attentive and not relying on autopilot while driving.
The CHP's Facebook post had more than 200 impressions and 50 shares as of Saturday afternoon.
"I'm a Tesla owner, it's people like him ruining it for the rest of us," one Facebook user commented.
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