Incident Details
According to court papers, 44-year-old Michael David Butler told police that he was using Full Self-Driving mode in a Tesla Model 3 on June 19 when the car crashed into a home in Katy, Texas, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila. He also reportedly told paramedics that the car was on “Autopilot.” However, Tesla has pushed back on that version of events.
In particular, CEO Elon Musk said that a car using Full Self-Driving would normally move slowly through neighborhood streets. In addition, a Tesla software executive said that Butler actually took control of the car by pressing the accelerator. Furthermore, according to an arrest affidavit, Butler said he was making a DoorDash delivery and had been changing music on the Tesla’s touchscreen before he eventually passed out.
The car reportedly reached 73 miles per hour, which is more than twice the speed limit, and the brake pedal was not used in the minute leading up to the crash. Authorities also said that no alcohol or common street drugs were found in Butler’s system. Nevertheless, Butler’s bail was set at $150,000, with conditions that he wear an ankle monitor and not drive.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Is Also Investigating
