_Incident · Fatality_

# Tesla Model 3 operating on driver-assistance system crashed into Katy, TX home, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila; NHTSA and NTSB opened investigations

Canonical ID: `3057bdbf-898c-48e0-bfc0-0b6580fa6b9b`

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

On June 19, 2026, a Tesla Model 3 whose driver told police he had engaged Autopilot/Full Self-Driving plowed through the front wall of a home in Katy, Texas (Houston suburb), fatally pinning 76-year-old Martha Avila, who later died at a hospital. NHTSA opened a special investigation on June 23 and the NTSB opened its own probe on June 24. Avila's family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit alleging the driver-assistance systems were defective and that Tesla failed to warn users.

## Sources (2)

1. **Fortune** · https://fortune.com/2026/06/23/tesla-autopilot-nhtsa-investigation-houston-crash-robotaxi/ · 2026-06-23
2. **The Guardian** · https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/24/texas-tesla-car-crash-investigation · 2026-06-24

## Common questions

### What happened in Tesla Model 3 operating on driver-assistance system crashed into Katy, TX home, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila; NHTSA and NTSB opened investigations?

On June 19, 2026, a Tesla Model 3 whose driver told police he had engaged Autopilot/Full Self-Driving plowed through the front wall of a home in Katy, Texas (Houston suburb), fatally pinning 76-year-old Martha Avila, who later died at a hospital. NHTSA opened a special investigation on June 23 and the NTSB opened its own probe on June 24. Avila's family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit alleging the driver-assistance systems were defective and that Tesla failed to warn users.

### 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 operating on driver-assistance system crashed into Katy, TX home, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila; NHTSA and NTSB opened investigations?

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 operating on driver-assistance system crashed into Katy, TX home, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila; NHTSA and NTSB opened investigations?

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 operating on driver-assistance system crashed into Katy, TX home, killing 76-year-old Martha Avila; NHTSA and NTSB opened investigations?

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


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