Tesla driver charged with manslaughter after crashing into Katy-area home, killing elderly 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, a DoorDash driver, allegedly told investigators he passed out while the car was in full self-driving mode, but Tesla disputed this and said he overrode the feature by pressing the accelerator. Court records allege Butler rolled through a stop sign, accelerated to 73 mph, and 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 |