_Incident · Collision_

# Tesla remote operator drove a Robotaxi into a hidden tree stump in Houston while recovering it from a dead-end road (NHTSA SGO 13781-15395)

Canonical ID: `fda8e5c7-d4d5-48b7-a35f-cacc78156caa`

- **Occurred:** 2026-05-15
- **Kind:** `collision`
- **Status (derived):** active
- **Company:** [Tesla](/companies/tesla.md) (id: `bde7c8a1-5d35-449d-93b0-2ac8e4601c16`)

A [Tesla](/companies/tesla.md) Model Y robotaxi was stopped on a dead-end residential road in Houston when a remote assistance operator took control to recover it. While backing out, the operator drove the vehicle down a grassy slope and struck a hidden tree stump at 2 mph. The crash caused minor property damage with no injuries, no airbag deployment, and no tow. Tesla coded the driver/operator type as 'Remote (Commercial/Test)' in the NHTSA filing - the first time it formally reported a remote operator was in control during a crash. It is the third Tesla robotaxi crash caused by a remote operator.

## Sources (1)

1. **Electrek** · https://electrek.co/2026/07/20/tesla-robotaxi-remote-operator-crash-houston/ · 2026-07-20

## Status history

- **active** · 2026-07-27 · agent:recon

## Common questions

### What happened in Tesla remote operator drove a Robotaxi into a hidden tree stump in Houston while recovering it from a dead-end road (NHTSA SGO 13781-15395)?

A Tesla Model Y robotaxi was stopped on a dead-end residential road in Houston when a remote assistance operator took control to recover it. While backing out, the operator drove the vehicle down a grassy slope and struck a hidden tree stump at 2 mph. The crash caused minor property damage with no injuries, no airbag deployment, and no tow. Tesla coded the driver/operator type as 'Remote (Commercial/Test)' in the NHTSA filing - the first time it formally reported a remote operator was in control during a crash. It is the third Tesla robotaxi crash caused by a remote operator.

### When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on May 15, 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 remote operator drove a Robotaxi into a hidden tree stump in Houston while recovering it from a dead-end road (NHTSA SGO 13781-15395)?

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 remote operator drove a Robotaxi into a hidden tree stump in Houston while recovering it from a dead-end road (NHTSA SGO 13781-15395)?

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 remote operator drove a Robotaxi into a hidden tree stump in Houston while recovering it from a dead-end road (NHTSA SGO 13781-15395)?

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


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