NTSB: Fatal Texas Tesla crash driver floored accelerator at 100%
Original: Tesla driver in fatal Texas crash pressed accelerator 100%, NTSB confirms
Why This Matters
The case raises ongoing questions about driver responsibility and oversight requirements for advanced driver assistance systems.
The NTSB confirmed Wednesday that driver Michael Butler pressed the accelerator to 100% during a June Tesla crash in Katy, Texas, overriding Full Self-Driving (Supervised). The vehicle exceeded 70 mph on a 30-mph residential road, killing 76-year-old resident Martha Avila.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report Wednesday confirming that 44-year-old Michael Butler pressed the accelerator pedal to 100%, overriding Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system, during a fatal June crash in Katy, Texas. Vehicle data showed the Tesla traveling over 70 mph on Rose Hollow Lane, a residential road with a 30-mph speed limit, before striking a house and killing 76-year-old resident Martha Avila. Security footage captured the car accelerating through an intersection, leaving the road, and hitting the structure under clear, dry, daylight conditions. Butler allegedly told authorities he had 'passed out' and was using FSD at the time. Police reportedly found Google searches on his device including 'Tesla FSD not aggressive enough 2026' and 'Tesla FSD too timid.' Butler has been charged with manslaughter, and Avila's family has sued both Butler and Tesla, alleging negligence. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is also investigating. The findings align with Tesla CEO Elon Musk's earlier statement on X dismissing claims that FSD caused the crash.