safety
Grandmother dies after man driving Tesla on autopilot crashes into home, authorities say
By Akim Powell at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
KATY, Texas. (Gray News) - A 76-year-old grandmother in Texas died after a man driving a Tesla on Autopilot allegedly crashed into her home, according to authorities.The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said Michael Butler was traveling in a Tesla in Katy when his car failed to drive in a single la...
Key takeaway The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said Michael Butler was traveling in a Tesla in Katy when his car failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway and struck a home on June 19, at around 8 p.
Why this matters in The Midland
The fatal crash of a Tesla on autopilot into a home in Katy, Texas, raises concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles on West Texas roads. While this incident occurred outside of the Midland -Odessa area, it has implications for local residents who may encounter similar vehicles on highways and roads in the Permian Basin. As the region's roads become increasingly congested with traffic related to the oil and gas industry, the potential for accidents involving autonomous vehicles is a concern that local authorities and residents should be aware of. The lawsuit filed by the family of Martha Avila against Tesla and the driver may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, potentially impacting the development and regulation of autonomous vehicles in Texas, including the Midland area. Local residents should follow this case and its outcome, as it may have implications for road safety in the Permian Basin.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland 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 KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? KATY, Texas. (Gray News) - A 76-year-old grandmother in Texas died after a man driving a Tesla on Autopilot allegedly crashed into her home, according to authorities.The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said Michael Butler was traveling in a Tesla in Katy when his car failed to drive in a single la...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Akim Powell at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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