Tesla on Autopilot Slams Into Home—Fatally

A Texas woman was killed inside her own home Friday night after a Tesla Model 3 slammed through the brick facade, authorities say. The Harris County Sheriff's Office says driver Michael Butler was using the car's automated driving-assistance system while traveling through a Katy neighborhood around 8pm when he allegedly veered out of his lane, left the road, and hit the house at high speed, per ABC News. Martha Avila, 76, who'd been standing in the front room of her home, was airlifted to a hospital and later pronounced dead, per the New York Times.

Butler, who was also rushed to the hospital with injuries, showed no signs of intoxication and is cooperating with investigators, according to officials. A witness said he heard the car accelerate as it neared the home, traveling up to "80 miles per hour," per KTRK. "We're still evaluating what caused that car to fail to control its speed just before this crash," Sgt. Alex Turman told the outlet, which noted the car's taillights and side marker lights appeared to be flashing. A doorbell camera at the home briefly captured the Tesla speeding up the driveway.