A DRIVER in a Tesla vehicle that was allegedly in self-driving mode crashed into a Texas house Friday night, killing a woman who was inside the home, investigators said.
Michael Butler was driving a Tesla Model 3 in Katy, Texas, on Friday evening when the car ran into a house at a “high rate of speed” and struck Martha Avila, who was inside, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Butler allegedly failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway and struck the residence.
"Butler's Tesla entered through the brick residence, at a high rate of speed, and struck M. Avila, who was inside the residence," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
Avila was airlifted to a hospital where she was later pronounced dead, the sheriff's office said.
According to reports, the incident remains under investigation. Tesla has yet to respond. – June 22, 2026
