Still doesn't explain why they couldn't just release a statement warning people not to rely on the autopilot until the authorities have completed their investig

Still doesn't explain why they couldn't just release a statement warning people not to rely on the autopilot until the authorities have completed their investigation. That avoids prejudging whether it was primarily a defect with the vehicle, or driver error, or both. Above all just respect the process. It's important to yield to an impartial entity when people have been hurt or killed.