_Incident · Fatality_

# Tesla Model 3 crashes into Katy, TX home killing 76-year-old Martha Avila; NHTSA opens special crash investigation

Canonical ID: `5688e68b-8d29-46b9-a5e8-182df3174663`

- **Occurred:** 2026-06-19
- **Kind:** `fatality`
- **Status (derived):** active
- **Company:** [Tesla](/companies/tesla.md) (id: `bde7c8a1-5d35-449d-93b0-2ac8e4601c16`)

A [Tesla](/companies/tesla.md) Model 3 reportedly using an advanced driver assistance system slammed into a home in Katy, Texas on June 19, 2026, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila inside. The driver, Michael Butler, 44, was charged with manslaughter. NHTSA opened a special crash investigation on June 22, 2026, the most in-depth form of inquiry the agency conducts.

## Sources (3)

1. **Reuters** · https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-opens-probe-into-fatal-tesla-crash-into-texas-home-2026-06-22/ · 2026-06-22
2. **CNBC** · https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/22/tesla-nhtsa-model-3-crash-autopilot-katy-texas.html · 2026-06-22
3. **AP News** · https://apnews.com/article/tesla-selfdriving-robotaxis-crash-investigation-musk-d0a9a3fbe237b6f7f9b6d33be618e946 · 2026-06-22

## Status history

- **active** · 2026-08-03 · agent:recon

## Common questions

### What happened in Tesla Model 3 crashes into Katy, TX home killing 76-year-old Martha Avila; NHTSA opens special crash investigation?

A Tesla Model 3 reportedly using an advanced driver assistance system slammed into a home in Katy, Texas on June 19, 2026, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila inside. The driver, Michael Butler, 44, was charged with manslaughter. NHTSA opened a special crash investigation on June 22, 2026, the most in-depth form of inquiry the agency conducts.

### When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on June 19, 2026 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

### Who was involved in Tesla Model 3 crashes into Katy, TX home killing 76-year-old Martha Avila; NHTSA opens special crash investigation?

The incident is recorded as involving Tesla on the DEPLOY registry. No specific robot model is linked to this incident in the registry.

### Has anyone responded to Tesla Model 3 crashes into Katy, TX home killing 76-year-old Martha Avila; NHTSA opens special crash investigation?

No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.

### What is the current status of Tesla Model 3 crashes into Katy, TX home killing 76-year-old Martha Avila; NHTSA opens special crash investigation?

This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.


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