The driver accused of crashing a Tesla into a Katy-area home, killing a 76-year-old woman, has now been charged with manslaughter, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced Wednesday that 44-year-old Michael Butler has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the June 19 crash that killed 76-year-old Martha Avila. Butler has since been booked into the Harris County Jail.
Arrest update:
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) July 2, 2026
Michael Butler (12/8/81) allegedly drove a Tesla vehicle into a home, striking Martha Ávila (76). The incident occurred in the 1900 block of Blooming Park Lane (Katy) on 6/19/26. @HCSO_VCD has charged Butler with Manslaughter in connection with Ávila’s death.… https://t.co/m8rS8kW2x2 pic.twitter.com/oN8bWfPTLn
The fatal crash happened in the 1900 block of Blooming Park Lane, where investigators say Butler’s Tesla was traveling at a high rate of speed when it failed to make a turn, left the roadway and crashed through the front wall of a home.
Authorities say Avila was inside the home when she was struck. She was taken to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Affidavit Details
According to the affidavit, investigators believe 44-year-old Michael David Butler recklessly caused Avila’s death by accelerating to an excessive speed, failing to brake, leaving the roadway and crashing through the front of the family’s home. Those allegations are the basis of the felony manslaughter charge.
According to investigators, Butler told them the last thing he remembered was driving on Highway 6 while using Tesla’s Full Self-Driving mode during DoorDash deliveries.
Hospital and EMS records included in the affidavit say Butler also told first responders the vehicle was on “autopilot.”
He reportedly remembered changing the music, looking at the navigation screen and then remembered the crash. Medical testing found no evidence of a seizure, stroke or heart attack.
Investigators also say Butler tested negative for alcohol and common street drugs and denied experiencing dizziness, blurred vision, headaches or any medical emergency before the crash.
With Butler’s consent, investigators downloaded information from the Tesla’s electronic systems, including the vehicle’s airbag control module, commonly called the black box, along with dash camera footage, exterior camera video, steering inputs, braking data, accelerator data and speed information.
Investigators also obtained and searched Butler’s cellphone.
According to the affidavit, video shows Butler completing what appeared to be his final DoorDash delivery around 8:02 p.m.
Investigators say he appeared alert, walked normally and showed no signs of any medical distress before getting back into the Tesla.
The affidavit explains investigators researched Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology and consulted an investigator experienced in Tesla crash reconstruction.
They note Full Self-Driving still requires drivers to remain attentive and allows drivers to override the system simply by pressing the accelerator pedal.
Investigators say that is exactly what happened.
According to the affidavit, dash camera footage shows the Tesla slowing almost to a stop before Butler pressed the accelerator, overriding the system’s default speed.
Moments later, investigators say the Tesla approached a left turn where the turn signal activated automatically under Full Self-Driving.
Instead of completing the turn, they allege Butler steadily increased pressure on the accelerator pedal.
Electronic data reportedly shows accelerator input climbing to 100 percent — what investigators describe as “pedal to the metal.”
The Tesla then accelerated to 73 miles per hour, more than double the residential speed limit, struck a curb, became airborne and crashed into the home.
Investigators say perhaps most importantly, they found no evidence Butler ever applied the brakes during the final minute before impact.
They also say they found no evidence of a stuck accelerator, no floor mat interference and no mechanical malfunction that would explain the crash.
Investigators also reviewed Butler’s cellphone and say they discovered several Google searches made weeks before the crash expressing frustration with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system.
Investigation into Tesla technology continues
Investigators have been working to determine whether Tesla’s driver assistance technology played any role in the deadly crash while also examining Butler’s actions leading up to the collision.
According to investigators, Butler initially told deputies the Tesla was operating on Autopilot at the time of the crash. However, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office later said Tesla provided vehicle data indicating Butler had overridden the system before the collision.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez also said investigators have not found any evidence of a mechanical malfunction with the Tesla so far.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a special crash investigation into the incident. Federal records show the agency has spent years examining crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot and other advanced driver assistance systems.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk posted on X that the crash “made no sense” because Full Self-Driving travels slowly through neighborhoods.
Tesla’s Vice President of Autopilot and AI Software also publicly stated the driver had overridden the system by pressing the accelerator to 100 percent.
Family sues Tesla and driver
The criminal charge comes about a week after Avila’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against both Butler and Tesla.
The lawsuit, filed by Avila’s daughter, Jennifer Barbour, and son-in-law, Justin Barbour, alleges Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems were defective and failed to prevent the crash. The family also claims Butler was negligent in operating the vehicle.
According to the lawsuit, the Tesla crashed through the front of the family’s home while Avila was inside. Justin Barbour was also in the home and suffered injuries to his neck, back and shoulders, according to court documents.
The family is seeking more than $1 million in damages.
KPRC 2 has reached out to Tesla for comment and is awaiting a response.