A Tesla Model 3, claimed to be on Autopilot by its driver, crashed into a Texas home, killing a 76-year-old grandmother.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A Tesla Model 3 crashed into a home in Katy, Texas, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila, who was inside the residence. The driver, Michael Butler, claimed the vehicle was operating on Autopilot at the time of the crash, which caused extensive damage to the home and displaced the family living there. 📺 DETAIL: Avila was airlifted to a nearby hospital but later died from her injuries. Officials said Butler showed no signs of intoxication and has been cooperating with investigators, while the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Vehicular Crimes Division continues to examine the cause of the crash. The impact caused extensive damage to the home, which has been deemed uninhabitable, displacing Avila’s daughter, her bereaved husband, and their three children. Family members said the vehicle crashed into the children’s playroom, though no children were injured. Last year, Tesla was forced to pay $329 million following another Autopilot crash that killed a young couple. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “I don’t know if it’s his fault or the car’s fault or what really happened. I’ve never seen a car go that fast.” – Jennifer Barbour, Martha Avila’s daughter 🎯 IMPACT: The tragedy has left a family grieving and displaced, with a GoFundMe campaign launched to help cover emergency expenses and funeral costs. The incident has also raised questions about the safety and reliability of Tesla’s Autopilot system, which has previously been found largely responsible for prior crash deaths. 📺 FLASHBACK: Tesla’s Autopilot system has faced criticism in the past over its role in a number of accidents, with ongoing debates about its safety and the responsibility of drivers when using the feature. |
Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.