A Tesla driver using auto assistance crashed into a Texas home, killing a woman
· Business Insider
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- A Tesla Model 3 crashed into a home in Katy, Texas, killing a resident inside on Friday night.
- Driver Michael Butler said Tesla's driver assistance tool was active during the fatal crash.
- Tesla's driver-assistance features, including Autopilot, have faced scrutiny in courts and from regulators.
A Texas woman died after a Tesla crashed through a brick home while the driver said an automated driving-assistance system was engaged, authorities said.
The crash happened around 8:03 p.m. on Friday in Katy, Texas, where Michael Butler was driving a Tesla Model 3, the Harris County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Saturday.
"Butler failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway, and struck the residence," the sheriff's office said.
"Butler's Tesla entered through the brick residence, at a high rate of speed, and struck M. Avila who was inside the residence," it added.
Avila was flown by medical helicopter to a local hospital, where she later died from injuries sustained in the crash, according to the sheriff's office.
"There were no signs of intoxication on Butler and he was cooperative during the investigation," the statement added.
It was not clear which of Tesla's features Butler was using at the time of the crash — the company offers autopilot and full self driving capabilities. Tesla says the features are for the "fully attentive driver" who should be ready to take over any time.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office said the case remains under investigation.
Tesla did not respond to a Business Insider request for comment sent outside regular business hours. Business Insider could not locate Butler.
The crash comes as Tesla's driver-assistance features have faced scrutiny in courts and from regulators.
Last year, a Florida jury found the automaker partially liable in a 2019 crash involving a driver who hit another vehicle while Autopilot was engaged. In a separate case, a California judge ruled last year that Tesla's branding of the feature as "Autopilot" was misleading, leading the company to change its name.
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