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:



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 - Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) July 2, 2026

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.

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.

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The criminal 

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