Top auto regulator investigates deadly Tesla crash into Texas home

Published
June 23, 2026
Location
Katy, Georgia
residential home in Katy
Incident type
Crash

Summary

Car Crash Katy Georgia in Katy, Georgia: A Tesla Model 3 using an automated driving feature slammed into a Texas home at high speed, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila, who was standing inside. The crash occurred on Friday near Houston in Katy, with the car traveling over the front lawn of a brick home and ramming into a front room. Two people were sent to the hospital. The driver told the Harris County sheriff's office he was using the self-driving technology, though Tesla's AI head claimed the driver manually overrode the system by pressing the accelerator to 100%, reaching 73 mph during the crash. The driver was not drunk and was cooperating with police.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
Martha Avila Unknown Fatal
Tesla driver At-fault party

Original reporting

Top auto regulator investigates deadly Tesla crash into Texas home | Tesla | The Guardian

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