On Wednesday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released preliminary findings that support claims made by Elon Musk and Tesla regarding a fatal crash in Texas. The incident, which resulted in the death of a grandmother, involved driver Michael Butler, who had stated that the autopilot feature was engaged at the time of the crash.
Butler, 44, had informed police that the Full Self Driving (FSD) system was active during the incident. Musk countered this assertion on social media, suggesting that Butler must have overridden the system, as “FSD drives slowly through neighborhood streets, and this was a high-speed crash!” Supporting Musk’s position, Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s vice president of AI software, indicated that internal data showed Butler pressed the accelerator pedal to 100 percent in a residential area.
Details of the Incident
The NTSB’s preliminary report confirmed that while FSD was engaged, the driver manually overrode it by fully pressing the accelerator. Local reports indicate that Butler was working as a DoorDash driver at the time of the crash. Data retrieved from his phone revealed that he had previously made multiple delivery stops without issue. However, Butler allegedly told police he “passed out” before the crash, failing to recall how he left the highway.
Driver’s Intentions and Behavior
Investigations into Butler’s phone showed searches related to the performance of Tesla’s FSD, including queries like “Tesla FSD not aggressive enough 2026.” This suggests that Butler may have been dissatisfied with the system’s responsiveness. In the moments leading up to the crash, the Tesla reportedly exceeded speeds of 70 mph, continuing straight instead of following the intended route.
Legal and Regulatory Implications
Butler has been charged with manslaughter and is currently jailed with a bond set at $150,000. He faces a lawsuit from the family of the deceased, alleging negligence on both his part and that of Tesla. Although initial investigations found no mechanical issues, the family claims the vehicle may have had defects, including a phenomenon known as “Sudden Unintended Acceleration.” This could potentially lead to misinterpretation of the accelerator input, causing rapid acceleration.
Ongoing Investigations
The NTSB has stated that all aspects of the crash remain under investigation to determine the probable cause and to issue safety recommendations to prevent future incidents. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a special investigation into the matter.
This article was produced by NeonPulse.today using human and AI-assisted editorial processes, based on publicly available information. Content may be edited for clarity and style.
