safety
Tesla driver whose car slammed into Texas home overrode driver assistance mode, NTSB says
By Rebecca Cohen and Austin Mullen | NBC News at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories
· July 17, 2026
· 4 min read
Weeks after a 76-year-old woman was killed when a Tesla, operating on Full Self-Driving, crashed into her Texas home, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the car’s driver overrode the driver assistance mode and accelerated into the building.
Michael Butler, 44, was operatin...
Key takeaway Michael Butler, 44, was operating the Tesla Model 3 that killed Martha Avila on June 19.
Why this matters in Frisco News
The crash on Rose Hollow Lane that killed Martha Avila has raised concerns about the safety of advanced driver assistance systems in residential areas. In Frisco , where the crash occurred, residents are likely to be particularly vigilant about the risks of speeding and reckless driving in neighborhoods. The fact that the driver was able to override the Full Self-Driving mode and accelerate to 70 mph on a road with a 30 mph speed limit is alarming, and it highlights the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws in residential areas. As the case against Michael Butler moves forward, Frisco residents will be watching to see how prosecutors and investigators address the role of the vehicle's technology in the crash, and what steps can be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The city's residents deserve to feel safe in their own homes and neighborhoods.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Frisco News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Weeks after a 76-year-old woman was killed when a Tesla, operating on Full Self-Driving, crashed into her Texas home, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the car’s driver overrode the driver assistance mode and accelerated into the building.
Michael Butler, 44, was operatin...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories and curated for Frisco News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Rebecca Cohen and Austin Mullen | NBC News at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) - Top Stories. To learn more about how Frisco News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Frisco News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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