The U.S. automotive regulator has begun an investigation following a tragic accident involving a Tesla vehicle with an automated driving feature. The incident resulted in the death of a 76-year-old woman named Martha Avila in Texas. The crash occurred near Houston when a Tesla Model 3 collided with a home, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
This specific probe gains attention as the Model 3 was equipped with technology that Tesla CEO Elon Musk considers vital for the company’s future. Musk plans to introduce robotaxis using this technology in multiple U.S. cities and aims to extend this system to Tesla owners nationwide.
The driver involved in the crash informed the Harris County Sheriff’s Office that the automated technology was active during the accident. However, it remains uncertain what part the technology played in the event. The driver was found sober and is cooperating with the authorities, as per the police report.
Video footage aired by KHOU-TV depicts the vehicle speeding across a lawn before crashing into a brick home in Katy. The impact left the car embedded in the structure, surrounded by debris and fractured furniture.
As of now, Tesla has not provided comments on the incident. NHTSA’s records show that it has initiated numerous investigations into Tesla’s vehicles. One recent investigation centered around incidents where Teslas reportedly breached traffic laws while employing self-driving capabilities, leading to multiple crashes, fires, and injuries.
Over the past decade, NHTSA has conducted 46 special investigations related to Teslas utilizing autonomous or driver-assist technologies. These occurrences have resulted in over a dozen fatalities involving drivers, passengers, or pedestrians.
Last year, Tesla’s stock experienced a downturn as sales dropped significantly, partly due to a boycott of Musk over his political endeavors. He engaged with the Department of Government Efficiency under former President Donald Trump and supported certain European political candidates. Musk has since refocused Tesla’s narrative towards AI and robotaxi projects, which has positively influenced the company’s stock value, seeing a 16% increase over the past year.