Preliminary NTSB Findings Say Tesla Driver Floored Accelerator Before Fatal Texas Crash
Preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board indicate that a fatal Tesla crash in Katy, Texas, was caused by driver input rather than the vehicle’s automated driving system.
According to investigators, 44-year-old Michael Butler fully pressed the accelerator moments before his Tesla Model 3 crashed into a home, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila. Vehicle data reviewed by the NTSB reportedly shows the accelerator was pushed to its maximum position, which disengaged Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature just before impact.
The crash occurred on a residential street with a posted speed limit of 30 mph. Investigators said the Tesla was traveling at more than 70 mph when it struck the house.
The preliminary report supports earlier claims from Tesla representatives, who denied that the company’s driver-assistance software caused the crash. Tesla’s position was that the driver manually accelerated immediately before the collision, and the vehicle data now appears to back that up.
Butler has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the fatal crash. Meanwhile, Avila’s family has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against both Butler and Tesla.
Butler has claimed that he passed out before the accident, though investigators have not confirmed that explanation. Authorities also reportedly found internet searches on his phone related to Tesla Full Self-Driving being “not aggressive enough” and “too timid.” While those searches may suggest frustration with the system’s driving behavior, investigators have not concluded that they directly influenced his actions before the crash.
The NTSB investigation remains ongoing, and the agency’s final report may provide more details about the events leading up to the collision. For now, the available data suggests the fatal Texas Tesla crash was not caused by Autopilot or Full Self-Driving, but by the driver pressing the accelerator immediately before impact.
