Regulators Investigate Tesla Crash in Texas Home

On Monday, the leading U.S. auto safety regulator launched an investigation into a tragic Tesla crash in Texas. A Tesla using an automated driving feature collided with a home near Houston, resulting in the death of a 76-year-old woman. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) described the probe as significant, given the involvement of the automated technology.

The crash involved a Tesla Model 3 and occurred as the vehicle sped into the house, killing Martha Avila. Video footage from KHOU-TV shows the car speeding across a front lawn before impacting the residence. Debris from broken plaster and furniture scattered around the wreckage site.

Though the driver claimed he used Tesla’s technology at the time, it is uncertain how it influenced the crash. The police report confirmed the driver was sober and cooperating with authorities. Tesla has not yet commented on the incident.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk plans to deploy robotaxis using similar technology in multiple U.S. cities this year, aiming to broaden their use nationwide. However, the NHTSA has previously investigated various incidents involving Tesla’s self-driving systems. Last year alone, they examined 58 cases of Teslas violating traffic safety, resulting in multiple accidents and injuries. Furthermore, the agency investigated the company’s delay in crash reporting.

In the past decade, NHTSA opened 46 special crash investigations involving Tesla’s driver-assistance technologies, including cases with fatalities. Tesla’s stock has fluctuated due to external political factors but has recently shown a 16% increase over the past year, aligning with Musk’s shift towards AI and robotaxi developments.