‘We just want answers’: Family mourns woman killed in Tesla crash as federal investigation gets underway

Published
June 23, 2026
Outcome
Fatal
Location
Katy, Texas
family home in Katy
View on map
Incident type
Crash

Summary

Car Crash Katy Texas in Katy, Texas: A 76-year-old woman, Martha Avila, was killed when a Tesla crashed into her family's Katy, Texas home on a Friday night. The Tesla, reportedly in an automated driving setting, struck the children's playroom; the children were not in the room at the time. The 44-year-old male driver told investigators the vehicle was in an automated driving mode, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a special crash investigation into the collision.

Publicly reported parties

Name Role Status
Martha Avila Unknown Fatal
Unnamed Driver Driver Fatal
44-year-old male driver / Tesla At-fault party

Original reporting

‘We just want answers’: Family mourns woman killed in Tesla crash as federal investigation gets underway

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