NTSB confirms driver manually accelerated Tesla to top speed in fatal Texas crash

Federal investigators have determined that a Tesla driver deliberately applied full throttle moments before his vehicle crashed into a residential home in Katy, Texas, killing the occupant inside. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed in its preliminary report that the driver "manually overrode" the car's Full Self-Driving system by pressing the gas pedal to maximum capacity.

The crash and investigation findings#

In June, 44-year-old Michael Butler's Model 3 struck a home on a two-lane residential road with a 30mph speed limit, fatally hitting 76-year-old Martha Avila. Data recovered from the vehicle's systems showed the car exceeded 70mph at the moment of impact. The NTSB noted that conditions were otherwise ideal for driving—clear skies, dry pavement, and full daylight.

Tesla's own investigation into the incident corroborated the NTSB's conclusion. Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla's AI lead, stated that the driver "manually overrode self-driving by pressing the accelerator all the way to 100%." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is also examining the crash as part of a separate inquiry.

Legal consequences and background#

Butler was arrested and is currently facing manslaughter charges in connection with the collision. In statements to hospital staff following the crash, he indicated that he had activated the vehicle's autonomous driving mode before losing consciousness. However, phone data introduced in court documents revealed multiple Google searches performed before the incident, including queries about FSD's aggressive behavior and complaints that the system was "too timid" for city driving conditions.

The case highlights ongoing questions about how drivers interact with and override autonomous systems, as well as the legal responsibilities of operators when advanced driver-assistance features are engaged.