Key Takeaways
- The Tesla driver accelerated to 100% before the crash.
- The incident resulted in the death of a 76-year-old woman.
- The driver faces manslaughter charges and a lawsuit from the victim’s family.
- The NTSB is investigating the crash alongside the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Details of the Incident
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the driver of a Tesla involved in a fatal crash in Texas pressed the accelerator pedal to its maximum just before the incident. This occurred in June when the vehicle collided with a house in Katy, resulting in the death of 76-year-old Martha Avila.
Investigation Findings
According to the NTSB, data retrieved from the Tesla indicated that the car was traveling over 70 miles per hour at the time of impact. Michael Butler, the 44-year-old driver, has been charged with manslaughter and is facing a lawsuit from Avila’s family, alleging negligence.
Driver’s Use of Technology
Prior to the crash, Butler was reportedly using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature on a residential road with a speed limit of 30 miles per hour. Security footage showed the vehicle accelerating through an intersection, veering off the road, and crashing into the house. The weather was clear, and road conditions were dry at the time.
Statements from Tesla
Tesla has maintained that its advanced driver assistance system was not at fault. CEO Elon Musk stated shortly after the crash that the claim against the system was unfounded, emphasizing that the Full Self-Driving feature operates slowly in residential areas.
Driver’s Condition and Search History
Butler allegedly informed authorities that he had “passed out” while using the driver assistance system. Investigators found that his recent Google searches included phrases like “Tesla FSD not aggressive enough” and “Tesla FSD too timid,” raising questions about his intent and state of mind during the incident.