News Family files wrongful death suit following Tesla crash in Texas Musk’s company denies that its driving assistance system is to blame. By Matt Tate June 24, 2026 12:53 pm EST Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock The family of a woman killed after a Tesla, which was operating using "an automated driving assistance system" according to authorities, crashed into her home is suing both the company and the driver of the vehicle. As reported by Elektrek , a lawsuit was filed in Harris County District Court by Jennifer and Justin Barbour, the daughter and son-in-law of the 76-year-old victim, Martha Avila. It accuses Tesla of a design defect, and the car's owner, Michael Butler, 44, of negligence. Butler's Tesla Model 3 allegedly collided with Avila's Katy, Texas, home at around 8pm on June 19, at which time she was standing in her front room. She was later pronounced dead after being airlifted to a nearby hospital.
Justin Barbour was also inside and suffered multiple injuries. The driver is said to have been using the Tesla Model 3's assisted self-driving system in the lead-up to the crash, and the Harris County Sheriff's Office said he was cooperative, showing no signs of intoxication. The family is blaming both parties for the crash, alleging that the Tesla vehicle failed to accurately detect the end of the street and the oncoming house. They also claim that the vehicle's systems failed to warn Butler of the danger and said the technology has a "history of known danger." Avila's family is seeking more than $1m in damages.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2200784/family-files-wrongful-death-suit-following-tesla-crash-in-texas/
Justin Barbour was also inside and suffered multiple injuries. The driver is said to have been using the Tesla Model 3's assisted self-driving system in the lead-up to the crash, and the Harris County Sheriff's Office said he was cooperative, showing no signs of intoxication. The family is blaming both parties for the crash, alleging that the Tesla vehicle failed to accurately detect the end of the street and the oncoming house. They also claim that the vehicle's systems failed to warn Butler of the danger and said the technology has a "history of known danger." Avila's family is seeking more than $1m in damages.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2200784/family-files-wrongful-death-suit-following-tesla-crash-in-texas/