1 person killed as Tesla on autopilot crashes through Texas home
Summary
Car Crash Katy Georgia in Katy, Georgia: A Tesla Model 3 driven by Michael Butler crashed through a brick home in the Houston suburb of Katy, Texas, around 8 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, striking 76-year-old Martha Avila inside the home. Avila was airlifted to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead. Butler, who told authorities the vehicle was in self-driving mode, was also injured and taken to a hospital. The Harris County Sheriff's Office said Butler showed no signs of intoxication and investigators found no evidence of mechanical malfunction. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a special investigation into the crash.
Publicly reported parties
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Martha Avila | Unknown | Fatal |
| Michael Butler | Unknown | Unknown |
Original reporting
1 person killed as Tesla on autopilot crashes through Texas home