Texas Family Sues Tesla Over 76-Year-Old's Death, Driver Charged in Katy Autopilot Crash
Updated
Updated · FOX 26 Houston · Jul 1
Texas Family Sues Tesla Over 76-Year-Old's Death, Driver Charged in Katy Autopilot Crash
3 articles · Updated · FOX 26 Houston · Jul 1
Summary
Harris County prosecutors charged 44-year-old Michael Butler with manslaughter after his Tesla Model 3 crashed into a Katy home on June 19, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila.
A lawsuit filed in Harris County District Court says Butler told investigators Autopilot was engaged when the car left Rose Hollow Lane, failed to stay in its lane and slammed through the home's front wall.
Plaintiffs accuse Tesla and Butler of negligence, gross negligence, design defects and failure to warn, alleging the vehicle either failed to detect the street's end or experienced sudden unintended acceleration.
Martha Avila died after being airlifted to a hospital, and Justin Barbour, who was also inside the home, suffered neck, back and shoulder injuries, according to the complaint.
The suit ties the crash to broader scrutiny of Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems, citing prior federal investigations, recalls and claims that Tesla overstated the technology's capabilities.