A Texas man has been charged with manslaughter after his Tesla crashed into a home, killing a 76-year-old grandmother, as Tesla says vehicle data indicates the driver manually overrode the vehicle’s driver-ᴀssistance system before the collision.

Michael Butler, 44, was arrested in connection with the June 19 crash in Katy, Texas, which claimed the life of Martha Ávila.

According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Butler’s Tesla Model 3 left the roadway, crossed a lawn, and slammed into the front of Ávila’s brick home at more than 70 mph, causing extensive damage.

Ávila was inside the home putting away groceries when the vehicle struck. She became trapped beneath the wreckage and suffered critical injuries. She was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where she later died.

Butler also sustained serious injuries in the crash.

Investigators said Butler told authorities that Tesla’s Autopilot system was engaged at the time of the collision.

However, Tesla’s head of AI, Ashok Elluswamy, said data from the vehicle indicates the driver manually overrode the system by fully depressing the accelerator.

“In this case, the driver manually overrode self-driving by pressing the accelerator all the way to 100% of the accel pedal in this residential area,” Elluswamy wrote on X.

He added that the vehicle reached approximately 73 mph during the crash and that the accelerator remained fully pressed even after impact.

Ávila’s family has since filed a civil lawsuit against both Butler and Tesla, alleging that Butler’s actions, as well as Tesla’s driver-ᴀssistance technology, contributed to the fatal crash.

The collision caused such extensive damage to the residence that Ávila’s family was forced to relocate.

Authorities have said there is no evidence Butler was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash.

The investigation into the cause of the collision remains ongoing.

Source: New York Post