Elderly pedestrians injured in separate traffic crashes in Texas and Greece
A 44‑year‑old driver using Tesla’s Autopilot system crashed his Model 3 into a house in Harris County, Texas, on a Friday afternoon, striking 76‑year‑old Martha Avila inside the home. She was trapped behind a refrigerator, transported by air to a local hospital and later died from her injuries. The driver, Michael Butler, was also hospitalized. Texas officials reported no evidence of alcohol or drug influence.
In Agriano, Greece, police say a driver without a licence or insurance struck an elderly male pedestrian on 29 May and then fled the scene. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment. Investigators identified the driver through witness statements and CCTV footage; a criminal case has been filed for bodily injury, hit‑and‑run, and driving without a licence or insurance.
Both incidents highlight the risks faced by older pedestrians and the legal consequences for drivers involved in serious traffic accidents.