On June 23, 2026, a Tesla operating in Autopilot mode crashed into a home in Katy, Texas, resulting in the death of 76-year-old Martha Avila. The vehicle was reportedly traveling at speeds up to 70 miles per hour when it veered off the road and struck the residence. Security footage from a nearby camera showed the Tesla speeding down a residential street before crashing into the brick home. Avila was inside the house at the time, putting away groceries, and suffered critical injuries. She was airlifted to a hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The driver, 44-year-old Michael Butler, was also injured and taken to a hospital for treatment.
Authorities are investigating the incident to determine if Tesla's Autopilot system was functioning properly at the time of the crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a probe into the accident. Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle traveling at high speed before it crashed. The family living in the home has been displaced due to the extensive damage caused by the crash. This incident adds to the scrutiny surrounding Tesla's driver-assistance technology, which has been involved in several previous accidents that raised concerns about driver reliance on automation. Investigators will analyze vehicle data as part of the ongoing investigation.