Tesla driver riding in back seat arrested in California, police say

California police have arrested a man who was caught on video sitting in the back seat of his Tesla while the car was self-driving. 

California Highway Patrol said Tuesday in a statement that they received multiple 911 calls regarding an individual who was in his back seat of his Tesla, without anyone seated in the front seat on Interstate 80 eastbound.

An Oakland CHP officer spotted the vehicle approaching Bay Bridge Toll Plaza. The individual moved to the driver seat and stopped the vehicle on shoulder of I-80 eastbound, and the officer then arrested the driver, according to the statement.

Param Sharma, 25, was arrested on two counts of reckless driving and disobeying a peace officer and was booked into Santa Rita Jail. 

According to the statement, people also captured Sharma operating his vehicle in the same manner previously. 

Sharma, who was released from jail, told Fox-affiliate KTVU that he plans to get in the back seat again to show that self-driving cars are the future.

“I’m gonna go in the back seat right now. You feel me? I’m waiting for my car to charge,” Sharma told the Fox affiliate. 

Sharma’s Tesla 3 was towed from the scene for evidence and this incident remains under investigation, according to the statement.