Grandmother Killed when Tesla Crashes into Katy, TX, House
A grandmother was killed when a driverless Tesla slammed into her Katy house.
The 44-year-old man told police the automated driving assistance system on the Tesla Model 3 was engaged at the time of the crash, KHOU reported.
Martha Avila, 76, was flown by Life Flight to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Family members said the vehicle crashed into a front room, a playroom for the children.
Jennifer Barbour, Avila's daughter, said she was in the backyard when she heard a loud boom.
While her husband and other children were located quickly, she told reporters her mother wasn't found until the dust cleared.
Authorities have not verified if the automatic feature was actually active.
The driver, 44, was transported for injuries.
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Susan Nicol
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Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.