technology
Tesla says driver overrode automated system in fatal Texas crash
The company stated that the driver pressed the accelerator fully during the incident. Police reported the vehicle was operating with an automated driving assistance system. Federal regulators have opened an investigation into the crash.
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A Model 3 struck a home in Katy, Texas, last Friday, killing a 76-year-old woman inside. The company stated on X that the driver manually overrode the automated system by pressing the accelerator to 100 percent. The same statement said the driver reached 73 mph and kept the accelerator pressed after impact.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office told ABC News the driver was using the vehicle with an automated driving assistance system. The company identified the driver as Michael Butler in its X reply. The crash occurred in a residential neighborhood.
Company and regulator statements The company discontinued its Autopilot feature in January and now offers only the subscription-based Full Self-Driving system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is examining whether the system properly alerts drivers when conditions limit its road-scanning ability.
The agency has also opened a separate investigation into the Texas crash. A company executive expressed frustration with media coverage, saying it plants fear, uncertainty, and doubt in the public. The company’s chief executive said the system drives slowly through neighborhood streets and described the incident as a high-speed crash.
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