Driver Charged in Crash that Killed a Katy Grandmother in her Home
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KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
July 2, 2026
By Natalie Cook Clark
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The driver of the Tesla that crashed into a Katy home last month and killed a grandmother has now been charged with manslaughter.
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Around 8:00 p.m. on June 18, 2026 a Tesla crashed into a Katy home at the 21300 block of Rose Hollow Lane in the Westgreen Park community. 76-year-old Martha Avila was in the front room of her home when the vehicle crashed through the residence. She was lifeflighted to a nearby hospital and later died from her injuries.
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A Go Fund Me account has been created to support her family during this challenging time. As of the publication of this story nearly $36K has been raised.
Multiple agencies responded to the incident and multiple occupants were reportedly trapped inside the Tesla.
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The driver, 44-year-old Michael Butler sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. He worked with authorities and claimed that his Tesla 3 was in the automative driving mode at the time of the accident, a fact that was later proven to not be accurate.
On June 23, 2026, an official with Tesla clarified that the autodrive was disengaged when the driver accelerated the vehicle. While the driver showed no signs of intoxication, authorities say he failed to stay in his lane and accelerated and a high speed into the home.
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The case has gotten much attention and Elon Musk responded on social media in regards to the claim that the vehicle was in self-driving mode.
"Yes, this makes no sense. FSD drives slowly through neighborhood streets and this was a high speed crash," says Musk.
Butler failed to drive in a single lane, left the roadway, and struck the residence, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
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Now Harris County Sheriff's Office has reported that Butler has been charged with manslaughter.
According to family members, the front room was used as a playroom for Avila's grandchildren. The children were home along with her daughter at the time of the crash. They were in the backyard at the time of the crash.
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