A Texas family is searching for answers after a grandmother was killed when a Tesla crashed into a home last week.
Harris County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that Michael Butler was driving in a Tesla Model 3 in Katy, Texas, allegedly “with an automated driving assistance system engaged at the time of the crash.”
The vehicle struck through a brick house, at a “high rate of speed” and hit a victim, identified as Martha Avila, 76. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Her daughter Jennifer Barbour told ABC News that the family wants justice.
“This was a horrible way for her to go. And we just want some answers as to know why this happens, ‘cause now we’re gonna be traumatized living here,” she told the outlet.
Police confirm Butler showed no signs of intoxication and that he is co-operating. He has not been charged.
“We’re still evaluating what caused that car to fail to control its speed just before this crash,” police said.
Tesla has not commented on the incident.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it’s opening a special investigation into the crash.
The auto safety regulator, known as NHTSA, has launched several investigations into Tesla, including one late last year into 58 incidents in which Teslas reportedly violated traffic safety laws while using self-driving technology, leading to more than a dozen crashes and fires and nearly two dozen injuries.
A few months earlier, the NHTSA opened an investigation into why Tesla apparently had not been reporting crashes promptly as required.
The autopilot feature on Tesla vehicles has faced scrutiny in the past, following a series of crashes, some fatal, over the years. One website even documents autopilot-related deaths.
Earlier this year, the company dropped the feature on its vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. While Tesla said it would stop offering full self-driving as a one-time US$8,000 purchase, as of Feb. 14, customers could access the software through a monthly subscription priced at US$99.
With files from The Associated Press
