Tesla has clarified that its Full Self-Driving system was overridden by the driver in a fatal crash in Katy, Texas. The June incident involved a Model 3 striking a home and killing a 76-year-old woman inside.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Head of AI Ashok Elluswamy stated that vehicle data shows the driver pressed the accelerator pedal fully to 100 percent. The car reached 73 mph during the crash, and the pedal remained pressed afterward.
Driver Michael Butler, 44, had told authorities the vehicle was operating on Autopilot. Tesla noted that media reports initially described the car as being in self-driving mode without the override detail.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the crash. Tesla said it will cooperate by providing data to the agency.
Elluswamy criticized the reporting as irresponsible and said it could discourage safer technology use. A similar 2021 crash in Texas was later found by investigators to involve no Autopilot engagement.