Tesla Autopilot Dispute
Katy Tesla Driver Charged with Manslaughter; Data Contradicts Autopilot Claim in Fatal Crash
Key Points
Butler was reportedly working as a DoorDash driver at the time of the crash.
Surveillance video reportedly shows Butler's Tesla barreling into the front room of a two-story brick Katy home.
Tesla’s data and company statements contend the Autopilot feature was manually overridden, with the accelerator pressed to 100% and the car reaching about 73 mph during the crash.
Avila’s family filed a $1 million wrongful-death lawsuit against both Butler and Tesla.
Butler told investigators the car was in autopilot mode and recalled the last memory as driving on Highway 6, with the car “in full self-driving mode” before he said he “passed out.”
A Katy, Texas, man is behind bars after his Tesla Model 3 slammed into a home and killed a 76-year-old woman inside. Michael David Butler, 44, was charged with manslaughter and is jailed on a $150,000 bond, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Butler told investigators the car was in "full self-driving mode" when it barreled into Martha Avila's home on June 19. But Tesla's own data tells a different story — and now Butler faces a felony arraignment while Avila's family seeks $1 million in damages.
Tesla Data Contradicts Driver's Autopilot Defense
Butler claimed he "passed out" and that the car was driving itself. His last memory, he told investigators, was cruising on Highway 6 in full self-driving mode, according to Sandhills Express.
Tesla's vehicle data flatly contradicts that account. The company says Butler manually overrode Autopilot by flooring the accelerator to 100%. The car hit roughly 73 mph before crashing into the two-story brick home. Authorities have found no evidence of mechanical failure.
Surveillance Video Captures the Moment of Impact
Surveillance footage recorded Butler's Tesla barreling straight into the front room of Avila's home. Martha Avila, 76, was inside when the car hit. She did not survive, according to Big Country News Connection.
Butler was working as a DoorDash driver at the time of the crash. The Harris County Sheriff's Office is leading the criminal investigation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — the federal agency that oversees vehicle safety — has also launched its own probe into the crash.
Family Sues Butler and Tesla for $1 Million
Avila's family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against both Butler and Tesla. The suit seeks $1 million and demands a jury trial, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The civil filing claims Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features have a history of failures and contributed to the deadly crash. Tesla has disputed that Autopilot was active at the time of impact. The company has not publicly commented on the lawsuit's specific allegations.
What Comes Next for Butler and the Investigation
Butler is awaiting arraignment on the felony manslaughter charge. His bond is set at $150,000, according to Sandhills Express. If convicted, he could face years in state prison.
Both the Harris County Sheriff's Office and federal safety regulators continue to examine how driver-assistance technology played a role — if any — in the crash. Investigators have not yet released a final cause. The case adds to a growing national debate over the safety of semi-autonomous driving systems.
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