NTSB Says Tesla Driver Fully Pressed Accelerator Before Fatal Texas Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Wednesday that the driver of a Tesla involved in a fatal crash in Texas had fully pressed the accelerator pedal, overriding the vehicle’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system before the collision.

According to data recovered from the vehicle, the Tesla was travelling at more than 70 mph when it crashed into a home in Katy, Texas, in June, resulting in the death of 76-year-old resident Martha Avila. Following the incident, Avila’s family filed a lawsuit against both the alleged driver, 44-year-old Michael Butler, and Tesla, accusing them of negligence. Butler has also been charged with manslaughter.

The findings were released in a preliminary report issued by the NTSB as part of its ongoing investigation into the crash. Separately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is also investigating the incident.

The recovered vehicle data supports Tesla’s earlier explanation of the crash, which the company shared shortly after the incident to argue that its advanced driver-assistance technology was not responsible. “This [allegation] makes no sense. FSD drives slowly through neighbourhood streets,s and this was a high-speed crash,” Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote on X in the days following the collision.

According to the NTSB, Butler had activated Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system while driving along Rose Hollow Lane, a residential two-lane roadway with a posted speed limit of 30 mph. Security camera footage reviewed by investigators showed the vehicle rapidly accelerating through an intersection before leaving the roadway and crashing into the residence. The report also noted that weather and road conditions were favourable at the time of the incident, with clear skies, dry pavement, and daylight.

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature requires drivers to remain attentive at all times and be prepared to take control of the vehicle immediately whenever necessary. Authorities said Butler claimed he had “passed out” while using the driver-assistance system. Investigators also reportedly found Google searches on his devices that included phrases such as “Tesla FSD not aggressive enough 2026,” “Tesla not aggressive enough,” and “Tesla FSD too timid,” according to local ABC affiliate KTRK-TV.