Katy, Texas—June 19: A 76-year-old woman was killed when a Tesla Model 3, reportedly using its Autopilot system, crashed into her home.
Authorities confirm that Martha Avila was pinned inside her residence following the incident around 2:41 p.m. The vehicle, driven by Michael Butler, breached the front wall of Avila's home, resulting in significant injuries. Avila later died at a nearby hospital. Butler also sustained injuries in the crash.
According to a lawsuit filed in Harris County, Avila's family alleges Tesla is liable for her death due to gross negligence, claiming the company failed to warn users about potential defects in its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems. The complaint seeks over $1 million in damages and punitive measures against Tesla for “reckless disregard for a substantial risk of severe bodily injury.”
Witnesses reported that Butler engaged the Autopilot feature before the crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently investigating the incident, which is one of nearly 50 special investigations involving Tesla vehicles and their advanced driver assistance systems since 2016.
Tesla has faced scrutiny for previous crashes related to its Autopilot technology, prompting a recall of approximately 2 million vehicles in 2023 to ensure drivers remain attentive while using the system.
Efforts to reach Butler for comment were unsuccessful. Tesla representatives have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the lawsuit.