Tesla driver indicted for homicide in Texas

Michael Butler, a 44‑year‑old driver from Texas, was indicted on a charge of culpable homicide after his Tesla Model 3, operating with the Full Self‑Driving (FSD) system, left the roadway at high speed on June 19 and crashed into a home in Katy, Texas. The impact killed 76‑year‑old resident Martha Avila, who was taken to a hospital by medical helicopter before her death was confirmed.

Butler was arrested, held in Harris County Jail and released on a $150,000 bail. The Texas Department of Public Safety reported that the vehicle entered the residence through the garage, traveling at about 118 km/h. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a federal investigation into the crash. Tesla later said the driver manually overrode the autonomous system and accelerated.

The case adds to ongoing scrutiny of Tesla’s driver‑assistance technology, which has faced multiple recalls and legal actions after prior incidents involving the FSD system.