Tesla driver overrode FSD, causing fatal Texas home crash
A Tesla Model 3 operating in driver-assistance mode crashed into a residence in Katy, Texas, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila. Yahoo reported that the vehicle left the road and struck the home while the driver, Michael Butler, was injured but not charged. ABC13 Houston noted that the driver claimed Autopilot was engaged at the time of the impact and that police were investigating the loss of speed control. The New York Times added that investigators found no signs of driver intoxication.
Electrek and NewsNation reported that Harris County officials were examining whether the autopilot system was active during the fatal collision. TechCrunch later reported that Tesla disputed the role of the driver-assist system, saying the company’s analysis showed the driver manually accelerated to full throttle. Electrek subsequently quoted Tesla as confirming the Full Self-Driving system was active and that the driver floored the accelerator, causing the car to reach about 73 mph.
