HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A driver has been arrested after allegedly driving a Tesla into a home, killing a 76-year-old woman, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. On Wednesday, HCSO said that Michael Butler was charged with manslaughter in connection with the fatal crash that left Martha Ávila dead in a Katy-area home on June 19. Butler has been booked into the Harris County Jail. Butler claimed the car was in self-driving mode, and that Tesla claimed he overrode the feature at the
time of the crash. At the time of the crash, officials said Butler was taken to the hospital by ambulance, and Ávila, who was inside the house, was taken by helicopter to Memorial Hermann. According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the woman was later pronounced dead. HCSO stated Butler failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway, and struck the house at a high rate of speed. ORIGINAL REPORT: Driver told deputies Tesla was on Autopilot during crash through Katy-area home, killing
woman: HCSO
Tesla crash, manslaughter charge, Michael Butler, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Martha Ávila, Katy-area home, June 19, Autopilot, Harris County Jail, Memorial Hermann