DoorDash driver charged with manslaughter after Tesla crashes into Katy-area home, killing 76-year-old woman
Summary
Car Crash Katy Texas in Katy, Texas: On June 19, 2026, a Tesla driven by 44-year-old Michael Butler crashed into a home in the Katy, Texas area, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila, who was inside the home at the time. Butler, who was working as a DoorDash driver, allegedly told investigators he had been operating the vehicle on Highway 6 in full self-driving mode before he passed out. Court documents allege Butler overrode the self-driving feature by pressing the accelerator, rolling through a stop sign, and accelerating to 73 mph before the car went airborne into the house. Butler was charged with manslaughter and was being held in Harris County jail.
Publicly reported parties
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Martha Avila | Unknown | Fatal |
| Michael Butler | Unknown | Charged |