Driver charged with manslaughter after Tesla crashes into Texas home, kills grandmother

A Texas man has been charged with manslaughter following a tragic incident in which his Tesla Model 3 crashed into a home, resulting in the death of a 76-year-old grandmother. According to court documents, Michael David Butler, 44, was driving the vehicle with its driver-assistance system engaged when the accident occurred on June 19 in Katy, Texas. Butler reportedly informed investigators that the car was on “Autopilot” at the time of the collision. However, Tesla has contested this claim, suggesting that the vehicle’s systems were not functioning as described.

Martha Avila, the victim, was inside her home when the Tesla struck the structure. Emergency services transported her via Life Flight to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The incident has raised significant concerns about the safety and reliability of autonomous driving technologies, particularly those developed by Tesla.

Butler was arrested and charged with manslaughter by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. An arrest affidavit detailed that Butler had been making a DoorDash delivery when he adjusted the music on the Tesla’s touchscreen before he “passed out.” The document further alleged that the vehicle reached speeds of 73 mph—more than twice the posted speed limit—and that the brake pedal was not used during the critical moments preceding the crash.

The sheriff’s office noted that Butler failed to stay within a single lane before veering off the road and crashing through the side of the home. Ring doorbell footage captured the impact, showing the vehicle colliding with the house at a high rate of speed. Despite these allegations, Butler denied experiencing any illness or having consumed alcohol or drugs prior to the incident.

Tesla has refuted Butler’s account, with CEO Elon Musk stating that a vehicle operating in Full Self-Driving mode would typically move slowly through residential areas. Additionally, Tesla’s head of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, claimed that Butler manually overrode the system by fully depressing the accelerator. This assertion suggests that the driver intentionally increased the vehicle’s speed rather than relying solely on the autonomous features.

Following the incident, Avila’s family filed a lawsuit against Tesla, accusing the company of gross negligence and failing to adequately warn consumers about potential defects in its self-driving systems. The legal action highlights growing public concern over the safety of autonomous vehicles and the responsibilities of both manufacturers and drivers.

In related developments, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently concluded its long-running investigation into Tesla’s “phantom braking” issues. Initially launched in 2022 due to numerous complaints, the probe saw a dramatic decline in incident reports, dropping from 300 cases to just three by early 2026. This reduction indicates that some of the earlier concerns may have been addressed, though the recent crash underscores ongoing questions about the reliability of such technology.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Butler faces a probable cause hearing where his bail was set at $150,000. He has also been mandated to wear an ankle monitor and refrain from driving. The case continues to draw attention from both the media and the public, emphasizing the need for thorough scrutiny of autonomous vehicle systems and their implications for road safety.