A lawsuit filed by Avila's estate accuses Tesla of marketing its driver assistance systems as safe in spite of alleged known danger. OnScene TV

A man charged with manslaughter is accused of making multiple Google searches about Tesla's Full Self-Driving Mode not being  aggressive enough  before the Model 3 he was driving crashed through a home in Katy and killed an elderly woman, according to a criminal complaint.

A Harris County Sheriff's Office investigator wrote in a criminal complaint against David Michael Butler that after reviewing crash data and footage, she determined that Butler overrode Tesla's Full Self-Driving Mode, pressing the accelerator all the way down to  100% pedal to the metal,  before hitting the curb, going airborne and crashing into the home.

Martha Avila's family members, Jennifer and Justin Barbour, filed a civil lawsuit against Tesla and Butler last week seeking over $1 million in relief.


Google searches flagged by sheriff's office

Butler, 44, on Wednesday was charged with manslaughter, a felony offense, and booked into the Harris County Jail, according to court records. His bail was set at $150,000.

A lawyer was appointed for Butler Thursday. The Chronicle left a message with Andrew Russel Herreth's firm.

Houston Chronicle Logo Want more Houston Chronicle? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source

Jae Philipbar, a deputy sheriff and investigator with the sheriff's office, said she responded to the crash around 8:04 p.m. on June 19 and saw the Tesla stuck inside the home. Avila was taken via LifeFlight to the hospital, where she died at 9:14 p.m, according to the complaint.


MORE ON TESLA: Texas property owners accuse Tesla of allowing toxins from refinery to pollute their property

Officials obtained written consent from Butler to search and seize his Tesla and verbal consent to search his cell phone, Philipbar said in the complaint. Data from the vehicle included  videos from the Tesla's dash-camera and exterio

#houstonchronicle   #crimewatchhouston