Tesla Model 3 crashes into Texas home, killing 76‑year‑old woman

On June 19 2026 a Tesla Model 3 driven by Michael Butler left the road in Katy, Texas and smashed through the front of a residence, striking 76‑year‑old Martha Avila inside. The driver told authorities that an automated‑driving assistance system (Autopilot or Full Self‑Driving) was engaged at the time of the crash.

Tesla’s AI chief, Ashok Elluswamy, said vehicle data show the driver manually overrode the system by keeping the accelerator pedal fully depressed, reaching about 73 mph (≈117 km/h) and maintaining throttle even after impact. The driver showed no signs of intoxication and has cooperated with investigators.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a special crash investigation to determine whether the driver‑assistance features were active, how the vehicle behaved, and whether any software fault contributed. The incident adds to a series of federal probes into Tesla’s advanced driver‑assistance systems, which have been linked to dozens of fatalities since 2016. Lawsuits and public scrutiny are expected to continue as the investigation proceeds.