Tesla driver in fatal Texas crash pressed accelerator 100%, NTSB confirms
The NTSB confirmed that a Tesla driver involved in a fatal crash in Texas had manually pressed the accelerator to 100%, overriding the vehicle's Full Self-Driving software. The report corroborates Tesla's previous claims that the driver assistance system was not responsible for the high-speed collision.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the ongoing debate regarding driver accountability versus autonomous system reliability in semi-autonomous vehicle technology.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Wednesday that the driver of a Tesla who crashed into a house in June had pressed the accelerator pedal to 100%, overriding the company’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software.
Data recovered from the Tesla showed that the vehicle was traveling more than 70 miles per hour when it struck a house in Katy, Texas, killing 76-year-old resident Martha Avila, according to the NTSB. The family of the victim has since sued the alleged driver, 44-year-old Michael Butler, and Tesla, claiming negligence. Butler has also been charged with manslaughter.
The safety board shared the information as part of a preliminary report on the progress of its investigation into the crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is also probing the incident.
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