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DoorDash Driver Charged, Tesla Sued After Fatal FSD Crash

7/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Michael Butler, a DoorDash driver, was charged with manslaughter after his Tesla Model 3 hit a Katy, Texas home on June 19, killing Martha Avila.
Investigators say Butler overrode Full Self-Driving, reached 73 mph, never braked or steered, and that Tesla vice president Ashok Elluswamy confirmed the car showed no faults.
Avila’s family sued Butler and Tesla for at least $1 million, prompting the NHTSA to open a special investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology.

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Story summary

Michael Butler, a DoorDash driver, was charged with manslaughter after his Tesla Model 3 hit a Katy, Texas home on June 19, killing Martha Avila.
Investigators say Butler overrode Full Self-Driving, reached 73 mph, never braked or steered, and that Tesla vice president Ashok Elluswamy confirmed the car showed no faults.
Avila’s family sued Butler and Tesla for at least $1 million, prompting the NHTSA to open a special investigation into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology.