76-Year-Old Woman Killed After Tesla on Automated Driving Mode Crashes Into Home

Police have arrested the driver, identified as 44-year-old Michael Butler, on charges of manslaughter in connection with the deadly crash.

Per Tesla's strict operational terms, even when these driver-assistance functions are turned on, the driver is legally required to maintain active supervision, keep their hands on the wheel, and remain fully responsible for taking control to avoid a collision.

Local authorities emphasize that the investigation is ongoing, and they are working to pull the vehicle's data logs to officially confirm if Autopilot or Full Self-Driving was active and what caused the vehicle to fail to control its speed.

Investigators said Butler failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway, and struck the residence. He did not appear to be intoxicated or impaired at the time of the crash and is cooperating with the investigation.

It is unclear exactly how fast the vehicle was traveling at the time of the crash.

The driver, 44-year-old Michael Butler, told Harris County Sheriff's Office investigators the vehicle — a Tesla Model 3 — was in an automated driving mode at the time of the crash. As of now, Butler is not facing any charges.

The victim has been identified as Martha Avila, 76, a beloved grandmother who was in the front room of her home at the time of the crash. She was airlifted to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

The cause of the crash was not provided.

The condition of the driver, identified only as an adult man, has not been released.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police responding to a reported vehicle collision have confirmed a driver crashed into a home, striking and pinning a woman inside.

Incident reported at 21300 Block of Rose Hollow Ln.

Police have arrested the driver, identified as 44-year-old Michael Butler, on charges of manslaughter in connection with the deadly crash.

Per Tesla's strict operational terms, even when these driver-assistance functions are turned on, the driver is legally required to maintain active supervision, keep their hands on the wheel, and remain fully responsible for taking control to avoid a collision.

Local authorities emphasize that the investigation is ongoing, and they are working to pull the vehicle's data logs to officially confirm if Autopilot or Full Self-Driving was active and what caused the vehicle to fail to control its speed.

Investigators said Butler failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway, and struck the residence. He did not appear to be intoxicated or impaired at the time of the crash and is cooperating with the investigation.

It is unclear exactly how fast the vehicle was traveling at the time of the crash.

The driver, 44-year-old Michael Butler, told Harris County Sheriff's Office investigators the vehicle — a Tesla Model 3 — was in an automated driving mode at the time of the crash. As of now, Butler is not facing any charges.

The victim has been identified as Martha Avila, 76, a beloved grandmother who was in the front room of her home at the time of the crash. She was airlifted to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

The cause of the crash was not provided.

The condition of the driver, identified only as an adult man, has not been released.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police responding to a reported vehicle collision have confirmed a driver crashed into a home, striking and pinning a woman inside.

Incident reported at 21300 Block of Rose Hollow Ln.

Police have arrested the driver, identified as 44-year-old Michael Butler, on charges of manslaughter in connection with the deadly crash.

Per Tesla's strict operational terms, even when these driver-assistance functions are turned on, the driver is legally required to maintain active supervision, keep their hands on the wheel, and remain fully responsible for taking control to avoid a collision.

Local authorities emphasize that the investigation is ongoing, and they are working to pull the vehicle's data logs to officially confirm if Autopilot or Full Self-Driving was active and what caused the vehicle to fail to control its speed.

Investigators said Butler failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway, and struck the residence. He did not appear to be intoxicated or impaired at the time of the crash and is cooperating with the investigation.

It is unclear exactly how fast the vehicle was traveling at the time of the crash.

The driver, 44-year-old Michael Butler, told Harris County Sheriff's Office investigators the vehicle — a Tesla Model 3 — was in an automated driving mode at the time of the crash. As of now, Butler is not facing any charges.

The victim has been identified as Martha Avila, 76, a beloved grandmother who was in the front room of her home at the time of the crash. She was airlifted to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

The cause of the crash was not provided.

The condition of the driver, identified only as an adult man, has not been released.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police responding to a reported vehicle collision have confirmed a driver crashed into a home, striking and pinning a woman inside.

Incident reported at 21300 Block of Rose Hollow Ln.

Police have arrested the driver, identified as 44-year-old Michael Butler, on charges of manslaughter in connection with the deadly crash.

Per Tesla's strict operational terms, even when these driver-assistance functions are turned on, the driver is legally required to maintain active supervision, keep their hands on the wheel, and remain fully responsible for taking control to avoid a collision.

Local authorities emphasize that the investigation is ongoing, and they are working to pull the vehicle's data logs to officially confirm if Autopilot or Full Self-Driving was active and what caused the vehicle to fail to control its speed.

Investigators said Butler failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway, and struck the residence. He did not appear to be intoxicated or impaired at the time of the crash and is cooperating with the investigation.

It is unclear exactly how fast the vehicle was traveling at the time of the crash.

The driver, 44-year-old Michael Butler, told Harris County Sheriff's Office investigators the vehicle — a Tesla Model 3 — was in an automated driving mode at the time of the crash. As of now, Butler is not facing any charges.

The victim has been identified as Martha Avila, 76, a beloved grandmother who was in the front room of her home at the time of the crash. She was airlifted to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

The cause of the crash was not provided.

The condition of the driver, identified only as an adult man, has not been released.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police responding to a reported vehicle collision have confirmed a driver crashed into a home, striking and pinning a woman inside.

Incident reported at 21300 Block of Rose Hollow Ln.

Police have arrested the driver, identified as 44-year-old Michael Butler, on charges of manslaughter in connection with the deadly crash.

Per Tesla's strict operational terms, even when these driver-assistance functions are turned on, the driver is legally required to maintain active supervision, keep their hands on the wheel, and remain fully responsible for taking control to avoid a collision.

Local authorities emphasize that the investigation is ongoing, and they are working to pull the vehicle's data logs to officially confirm if Autopilot or Full Self-Driving was active and what caused the vehicle to fail to control its speed.

Investigators said Butler failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway, and struck the residence. He did not appear to be intoxicated or impaired at the time of the crash and is cooperating with the investigation.

It is unclear exactly how fast the vehicle was traveling at the time of the crash.

The driver, 44-year-old Michael Butler, told Harris County Sheriff's Office investigators the vehicle — a Tesla Model 3 — was in an automated driving mode at the time of the crash. As of now, Butler is not facing any charges.

The victim has been identified as Martha Avila, 76, a beloved grandmother who was in the front room of her home at the time of the crash. She was airlifted to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

The cause of the crash was not provided.

The condition of the driver, identified only as an adult man, has not been released.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police responding to a reported vehicle collision have confirmed a driver crashed into a home, striking and pinning a woman inside.

Incident reported at 21300 Block of Rose Hollow Ln.