76-year-old woman killed when a Tesla ‘running on auto-pilot’ crashed into her Texas home

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Tesla Driver Charged With Manslaughter in Deadly Katy Home Crash

   A Texas man faces a manslaughter charge after his Tesla crashed into a Katy-area home and killed 76-year-old Martha Avila. While the driver claimed the car was in Full Self-Driving mode, Tesla data indicates he manually overrode the system. Harris County officials have since arrested the driver.

   What's confirmed:

   • The driver of the Tesla that crashed into a Katy-area home has been charged with manslaughter.
   • The crash resulted in the death of 76-year-old Martha Avila.
   • Harris County authorities handled the arrest and charges.
   • Tesla data showed the driver manually overrode the autopilot system.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Michael David Butler claimed the vehicle was operating on Full Self-Driving mode during the crash.
   • Tesla data shows the driver floored the gas pedal himself.
   confidence 95%
2. 5d ago

   Family Sues Tesla After Model 3 Crashes Into Texas Home Killing 76-Year-Old

   A Tesla Model 3 crashed into a Texas home and killed 76-year-old Martha Avila. The driver and Harris County officials state the vehicle was using Autopilot. The victim's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla and the driver.

   What's confirmed:

   • The victim of the crash was 76-year-old Martha Avila.
   • The vehicle involved was a Tesla Model 3.
   • The driver and Harris County officials stated Autopilot was in use when the car left the road.
   • The family of the victim is suing Tesla and the driver for damages.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The driver reached a speed of 73 MPH.
   • No charges were filed against the driver.
   confidence 90%
3. 9d ago

   Tesla Driver-Assist Crash Kills 76-Year-Old Woman in Katy, Texas

   A Tesla crashed into a Katy-area home on a Friday night, killing a 76-year-old woman. The driver told Harris County investigators he was using Autopilot before the vehicle left the road. The victim's family is now suing Tesla and the driver.

   What's confirmed:

   • A 76-year-old woman was killed after a Tesla crashed into her Katy-area home on Friday night.
   • The driver told Harris County investigators the vehicle was on Autopilot before it left the residential road.
   • The Harris County Sheriff's Office found no evidence of a mechanical malfunction in the vehicle.
   • The family of the victim is suing the driver and Tesla.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The Tesla was traveling at speeds as high as 70 miles per hour.
   • The victim was described by her daughter as super healthy and likely to have lived to 100.
   confidence 95%