tech
Tesla Faces Federal Probe After Model 3 Slams Into Texas Home, Killing 76-Year-Old
Harris County authorities said that the driver, Michael Butler, said that he had been using Tesla's partially automated driving systems.
TL;DR
- NHTSA is investigating a fatal Tesla Model 3 crash in Katy, Texas, involving the use of partially automated driving systems.
- The driver, Michael Butler, stated he was using Tesla's systems, while Tesla executives claim he manually overrode them and accelerated to 73 mph.
- The crash killed 76-year-old Martha Avila.
- Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system requires driver attention and readiness to take over.
- This is one of over three dozen special crash investigations opened by NHTSA into Tesla's driver-assistance systems since 2016.
- Tesla has faced legal pressure and findings of false advertising regarding its Autopilot system in California.
- Another Tesla crash into a home in California in May injured six people.
- An independent site tracks at least 65 fatalities involving Tesla Autopilot or FSD systems from 2013 to 2025.
- Tesla shares closed up on Monday despite the news of the federal probe.