Michael Butler manually overrode Tesla's Full Self-Driving system before a high-speed crash killed 76-year-old Martha Avila in Texas.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed in a preliminary report that Michael Butler manually overrode the Full Self-Driving technology in his Tesla Model 3 just before a fatal crash. The vehicle, which was traveling on a residential road with a 30 mph speed limit, reached speeds exceeding 70 mph before striking the home of 76-year-old Martha Avila. Data recovered from the vehicle showed that Butler pressed the accelerator pedal to 100 percent, overriding the automated system. While Butler told investigators he "passed out" while making a DoorDash delivery, the NTSB noted that the weather was clear and the roadway was dry at the time of the accident. Butler has been charged with manslaughter. While the NTSB is still determining the probable cause, the findings support claims made by Tesla's AI software head, Ashok Elluswamy. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also opened a special investigation into the crash to determine if mechanical or software failures contributed to the high-speed impact.

Sources