On July 4, it was reported that a Tesla crash into a residence in a Texas neighborhood had escalated to criminal proceedings. According to Electrek, prosecutors in Harris County have filed manslaughter charges against Michael David Butler, aged 44. The indictment papers disclose that Butler drove a Tesla Model 3 into a home in Katy, resulting in the death of 76-year-old Martha Avila. The focal point of this case centers on the driver's utilization of the FSD (Full Self-Driving) system, rather than whether the system was engaged at the time of the incident.

In the weeks preceding the accident, Butler had frequently searched for information indicating that the FSD system was not assertive enough and was overly cautious. During the crash, he repeatedly pressed the accelerator pedal, wresting control away from the FSD system. The vehicle's speed eventually soared to nearly 120 kilometers per hour, which is more than double the residential area's speed limit, before it collided with the residence. Notably, there was no indication of brake application in the vehicle's final minute of operation. The family of the deceased has initiated a civil lawsuit against both Butler and Tesla.