Houston Tesla crash kills resident, driver claims Autopilot was engaged

A Tesla Model 3 crashed into a home in Katy, Texas, on Friday night, killing a woman inside the residence, according to the Harris County Sheriff's office. The driver, identified as Michael Butler, told investigators that the vehicle's Autopilot system was engaged at the time of the crash, though authorities have not confirmed that claim.

Investigators are working to determine the cause of the crash and whether the driver-assistance system played a role in the incident, according to a report from Bitcoin.com. The Harris County Sheriff's office stated that Butler was using an automated driving assistance system when he failed to stay in his lane, left the roadway, and struck the residence at high speed.

"The driver, Michael Butler, was using an automated driving assistance system when he failed to stay in his lane, left the roadway, and struck the residence in Katy, Texas."

This detail from the Sheriff's office suggests that the driver's reliance on the system may have contributed to the crash, though the official investigation is still ongoing. The 44-year-old driver survived the crash, but the resident inside the home was killed, according to Bitcoin.com.

The incident adds to a growing list of crashes involving Tesla's driver-assistance features, which have faced scrutiny from regulators and safety advocates. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether Autopilot was actually active at the time of the crash, and the investigation continues.