A driver in a Tesla engaged in automated driver-assistance mode crashed into a house in Texas, resulting in a fatality, authorities reported.
Michael Butler, operating a Tesla Model 3 around 8 p.m. local time, was using the car’s automated driving system, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred in Katy, Texas, 30 miles west of Houston.
The vehicle veered off its lane, leaving the roadway, and collided with a home at 1907 Blooming Park Lane. The Tesla entered the residence at high speed, impacting Martha Avila, who was inside. Ms. Avila, 76, was airlifted to a hospital but was pronounced dead there.
Authorities stated Mr. Butler showed no signs of intoxication and cooperated during the ongoing investigation. Surveillance footage from a front-door camera recorded the crash, showing the Tesla driving into the house. The vehicle’s speed at the time remains under investigation.
“We’re still evaluating what caused that car to fail to control its speed just before this crash,” said Sgt. Alex Turman of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office to ABC13 Houston.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office did not provide further comments. Efforts to reach Mr. Butler were unsuccessful, with no immediate information on his condition. Tesla also did not comment on the crash or its software.
Tesla’s Autopilot function, a driver-assistance technology, is popular but has faced scrutiny over safety concerns. Owners are advised to keep hands on the wheel and be ready to take control when needed.
In 2023, Tesla recalled over two million vehicles after federal regulators indicated insufficient driver attentiveness while using the automated system. This followed a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation begun in August 2021 on crashes involving the technology.
In 2024, Tesla settled a lawsuit related to a fatal crash in California blamed on the driver-assistance software.