U.S. Auto Safety Regulator Probes Tesla Crash That Killed Texas Woman

The top US auto safety regulator opened an investigation Monday after a Tesla using an automated driving feature crashed into a Texas home at high speed and killed a 76-year-old woman standing inside, Bernard Condon reported for The Associated Press (AP).

Federal regulators are investigating a fatal Tesla Model 3 crash in Texas involving the reported use of an automated driving system. (Photo: Florida Highway Patrol)

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it is launching a special investigation into the Tesla Model 3 crash that occurred Friday near Houston.

The probe is significant because the vehicle was reportedly using technology that Tesla chief executive Elon Musk considers central to the company's future.

Musk is expanding Tesla's robotaxi program using automated driving software in several US cities this year and plans to allow Tesla owners to add their vehicles to the fleet using the same technology.

According to a crash report from the Harris County Sheriff's Office, the driver told investigators he was using the automated driving system. However, authorities have not determined what role, if any, the technology played in the incident.

The report stated that the driver was not intoxicated and is cooperating with investigators. The woman who died was identified as Martha Avila.

Video obtained by KHOU-TV reportedly showed the vehicle speeding across the front lawn of a brick home in Katy before crashing into a front room. Additional footage showed the car embedded in the structure amid debris, including broken beams, damaged furniture and collapsed plaster.