A Texas man has been charged with manslaughter after his Tesla crashed into a home, killing a 76-year-old woman. Michael Butler, 44, was arrested on July 1 and remains in custody with a $150,000 bond. The crash occurred on June 19 in Katy, Texas, when Butler's Tesla Model 3 veered off the road and struck the residence, fatally injuring Martha Avila, who was inside. Authorities allege Butler was using Tesla's driver-assistance system at the time, though Tesla disputes this claim. Surveillance footage shows the vehicle traveling at high speed before impact. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and local authorities are investigating the incident.
Butler's Account and Tesla's Response
Butler told investigators he was making a DoorDash delivery and adjusted the music before the crash. An arrest affidavit states he allegedly pressed the accelerator pedal to 100% before the collision, reaching 73 mph in a residential area. Tesla's head of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, disputed Butler's claim that the vehicle was in self-driving mode, stating the driver manually overrode the system. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also disputed the account, saying a vehicle in Full Self-Driving mode would not travel at such speeds in residential areas.
Legal and Investigative Developments
The Harris County Sheriff's Office confirmed Butler showed no signs of intoxication and cooperated with authorities. Avila's family has filed a lawsuit alleging negligence by Butler and Tesla. The NHTSA has opened a probe into the crash, while local authorities continue their investigation. The case raises questions about the safety and reliability of automated driving systems.