Harris County Constable’s Office Precinct 5
The Tesla invaded a room in the house where the fatal victim lived
Federal investigation into the fatal crash, which comes as Tesla seeks to expand its automated driving systems and launch networks of robotaxis, reignites doubts about the safety and oversight of the technology.
North American highway safety regulators have opened a Tesla’s formal investigation after a vehicle using automated driving technology crashed at high speed into a house in Texas, killing a 76 year old woman who was inside, authorities announced on Monday.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the North American agency responsible for road safety, has indicated that it will open a special investigation to the accident that occurred on Friday near Houston.
The inquiry once again puts car driving assistance systems under scrutiny. Elon Muskwhich the company has presented as central to its future ambitions in the area of robotaxis, notes .
According to an accident report prepared by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the driver of the Tesla Model 3 told investigators he was using automated driving features at the time of the collision.
Authorities said it remains unclear what role, if anytechnology played a role in the deadly accident. The report indicates the driver was not under the influence of alcohol and is cooperating with authorities.
The victim was identified by police as Martha Avila76 years old.
Video obtained by KHOU-TV shows the vehicle speeding across the lawn of a residential area in Katy before crashing into the facade of a brick home and becoming trapped inside a room amid debris, broken beams and scattered furniture.
The accident reinforces the doubts surrounding security of Tesla’s driving assistance technology.
The NHTSA previously opened dozens of special investigations to accidents involving Tesla vehicles equipped with automated systems, including several fatal cases, and analyzed whether the company did not communicate properly accidents involving their vehicles, as they were obliged to do.
The investigation comes as Elonk Musk plans to expand Tesla’s automated driving software to fleets in several North American cities, while encouraging owners to integrate their vehicles into this network.
Tesla shares sank at the beginning of last year, pressured by one following his political incursions, which included leading the Department of Government Efficiency initiative, created by President Donald Trump to cut public spending, and supporting European extremist candidates.
No entanto, Musk managed to change the narrative around Teslamoving it away from car sales and focusing on artificial intelligence and robotaxiswhich resulted in a 16% increase in the company’s shares over the last year.
