A driver has been charged after a Tesla smashed into a grandmother's home, killing her. As reported by People, the driver had alleged that the car was in autopilot at the time.
We reported on this tragic incident when it first happened on June 19. The driver, who the Harris County Sheriff's Office later identified as 44-year-old Michael David Butler, had been driving "with an automated driving assistance system" in Katy, Texas, before it smashed into the grandmother's home.
The grandmother was named as 76-year-old Martha Avila.
In a press statement, authorities explained exactly what had happened. "Butler's Tesla entered through the brick residence at a high rate of speed, and struck M. Avila, who was inside the residence."
Videos by Wide Open Country
The Tesla Driver Was Charged With a Felony
The Harris County Sheriff's Office released a statement about Butler's charges. It reads, "Arrest update: Michael Butler allegedly drove a Tesla vehicle into a home, striking Martha Avila... The Harris County Sheriff's Office Vehicular Crimes Division has charged Butler with Manslaughter in connection with Avila's death."
"Butler was arrested and booked in the Harris County Jail." Jail records also show that he is being held on $150,000. His next court day is slated to be Monday, July 6.
Witnesses Later Explained the Victim Was At Home With Family
According to local news outlet KHOU 11, Avila was in her home alongside her daughter Jennifer Barbour and her husband, and also her three grandchildren.
In a statement to the outlet, Barbour said that "the kids are devastated". She explained that she was in the backyard at the time of the crash.
When she heard a loud noise, she came in to find her husband and children injured but safe. But her mother had tragically died.
And now, the Barbours have filed a lawsuit against Butler and Tesla. They say that the Tesla autopilot was defective, and contributed to Avila's death. The lawsuit also says that Butler was negligent in his alleged carelessness of driving.
An attorney for the Barbours, explained in a statement, "Martha's family is understandably devastated. There is no circumstance where a vehicle should ever crash into a home - we intend to look into all the factors that played a part in this: the driver, the car and its software, and the involvement or failure of any autonomous driving and crash avoidance systems."
