KATY, Texas (TNND) — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into a crash involving a Tesla Model 3 that struck a home and resulted in the death of a 76-year-old woman.
Authorities reported that the driver claimed the vehicle was operating under Tesla's driver-assistance technology at the time of the incident. The deceased was identified as Martha Avila. The driver showed no signs of impairment and is cooperating with investigators, officials said.
Tesla executives have contested allegations attributing fault to the company's automated driving system. CEO Elon Musk stated on social media that the collision, described as a “high speed crash,” contradicts the system's design to drive slowly in residential areas.
Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla's Vice President of Autopilot, noted that the driver manually accelerated the vehicle to 73 mph before the crash, maintaining pressure on the accelerator after impact.
The NHTSA has recorded 46 investigations involving Tesla vehicles with self-driving technology over the past decade, with more than a dozen resulting in fatalities.
Tesla's Full Self-Driving system is not fully autonomous; the company emphasizes that drivers must remain attentive and ready to take control at any moment.
Photos from Harris County Constable Precinct 5 show significant damage to the residence, with the vehicle embedded inside. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed the car crashed into the front room, impacting Avila directly.