A Tesla crashed into a house in Katy, Texas, killing a 76-year-old woman. The driver pressed the accelerator pedal to 100 percent, overriding the car’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software.
Data recovered showed the Tesla sped beyond 70 miles per hour before impact. The crash killed Martha Avila and sent the vehicle straight into her family home. Security footage confirmed the vehicle accelerated through an intersection and left the road.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the driver manually overrode the FSD system. “The driver manually overrode FSD (Supervised) by pressing the accelerator pedal to 100 percent,” the agency stated. Tesla’s AI software was engaged but disabled by the driver’s actions.
Michael Butler, the driver, told authorities he had “passed out” and relied on Tesla’s assistance system. His phone showed Google searches like “Tesla FSD not aggressive enough 2026” and “Tesla FSD too timid.” He has been charged with manslaughter. His bond is set at $150,000.
Elon Musk commented, “FSD drives slowly through neighborhood streets, and this was a high-speed crash!” The Tesla would have turned left to avoid the house if it had followed its programmed course. Instead, Butler’s full throttle input sent it crashing straight ahead.
Meanwhile, a separate tragedy unfolded off San Francisco’s coast. A privately owned three-deck pontoon boat capsized near Alcatraz Island. One person died, a dog also perished, and three remain missing. Sixteen survived the sinking on Tuesday.
The Coast Guard suspended the search at sunset on Wednesday. Rescue teams used planes, boats, helicopters, thermal imaging, and tide modeling to find survivors. San Francisco Fire Department Lieutenant Elias Mariano detailed the complex efforts. The boat’s motor was still running and leaking fuel after capsizing.
These incidents underscore how technology and human error collide with lethal consequences. Tesla’s FSD system can only do so much when overridden. And nature remains unforgiving despite rescue advances.
Based on
- Tesla driver who blamed crash on autopilot pressed accelerator 100%, NTSB finds — arstechnica.com
- Tesla driver in fatal Texas crash pressed accelerator 100%, NTSB confirms | TechCrunch — techcrunch.com
- Linus Torvalds says Linux is “not one of those anti-AI projects.” | The Verge — theverge.com
- Trump’s aides see China cheating on trade, but shun retaliation – The Japan Times — japantimes.co.jp
- Alcatraz boat capsizing near San Francisco leaves 4 dead — dw.com
