NTSB findings on fatal Tesla crash tell a very different story
The NTSB released preliminary findings on July 15, 2026 confirming that Michael Butler, the driver of a 2025 Tesla Model 3, manually overrode Full Self-Driving by pressing the accelerator to 100%, reaching over 70 mph on a 30 mph residential road before striking a house in Katy, Texas and killing 76-year-old Martha Avila. The findings support Tesla's account of the crash and come as NHTSA separately probes 3.2 million FSD-equipped Teslas.
The NTSB found that Michael Butler, 44, caused a fatal June crash in Katy, Texas, by manually overriding Tesla’s Full Self-Driving mode, accelerating to 73 mph on a 30 mph residential street and killing 76-year-old Martha Avila. Security footage and vehicle data contradicted Butler’s claim of passing out, showing the car accelerating through an intersection before leaving the road. Butler faces manslaughter charges, and the victim’s family has sued both him and Tesla.
Summarised by netranta from Teslarati. Open the original for the full story.
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