A Tesla vehicle operating on Autopilot crashed into a house in Texas on Friday night, resulting in the tragic death of a 76-year-old woman, while another man suffered injuries, according to local authorities.
Michael Butler was reportedly driving a Tesla Model 3 east on a residential street in Katy when the accident occurred. He claimed to have been using the Autopilot feature at that time.
The sheriff’s department noted that Butler lost control, veering off the road before colliding with the house. Surveillance video captured the car crashing into the side of the residence with considerable speed.
Inside the home, Martha Avila was struck as the car came crashing in. She was transported via airlift to a nearby hospital, where, unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries.
Meanwhile, Butler was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Authorities report that there were no indications of intoxication and he is currently cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Interestingly, this incident follows recent scrutiny of Tesla’s Autopilot feature. Previous investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) were initiated due to several accidents linked to the system.
Although Tesla’s website highlights that drivers must remain vigilant and ready to take over, it seems real-life situations can diverge from this advice. In 2023, a significant recall of over 2 million Tesla vehicles was issued after various incidents prompted serious concerns about Autopilot’s safety.
