NTSB Says Tesla Driver Overrode FSD at 70 mph, Causing Fatal Texas Home Crash

3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jul 16

NTSB said data from the Tesla Model 3 showed driver Michael Butler pressed the accelerator to 100%, overriding Full Self-Driving before the car hit a Katy home and killed 76-year-old Martha Avila.
70 mph on a 30 mph residential road was the key mismatch: the car partially entered a driveway, then crashed into the house in clear, dry daylight conditions, while Butler suffered minor injuries.
Butler, 44, has been charged with manslaughter, though investigators and prosecutors have not said whether the vehicle itself shares blame; NHTSA has opened a special crash probe.
Safety experts said the data may not settle the case, arguing NTSB still needs to examine possible pedal, electronics or software failures and broader concerns over Tesla's 'Full Self-Driving' branding.