Tesla Model 3 crashes into Texas home while Autopilot engaged, killing resident
A Tesla Model 3 operating in Autopilot mode collided with a house in Katy, Texas, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila. The driver, Michael Butler, is cooperating with investigators.
A Tesla Model 3 traveling eastbound on a residential street in Katy, Texas, struck the side of a house on Friday night, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila and injuring the driver, Michael Butler. Butler told authorities he was using the vehicle’s Autopilot feature at the time of the crash.
Harris County Sheriff’s deputies said the car left the roadway and entered the home at a high rate of speed, as captured by a Ring doorbell camera. Avila was air-lifted to a hospital by Life Flight and later pronounced dead. Butler was taken to a hospital, showed no signs of intoxication, and is cooperating with the investigation.
Tesla’s website states that Autopilot and Full Self-Driving capabilities require a fully attentive driver with hands on the wheel, ready to take control at any moment, and that the features do not make the vehicle autonomous.
