Tesla pushes back on Autopilot narrative after fatal Texas crash

Key Points:

• A fatal crash in Katy, Texas, involving a Tesla Model 3 killed a 76-year-old woman after the vehicle crashed into her home; the driver reported that Autopilot was engaged at the time.
• Tesla disputed the initial narrative, with Ashok Elluswamy, VP of AI software, stating that the driver had manually overridden the system by pressing the accelerator to full throttle, reaching 73 mph in a residential area.
• Elon Musk emphasized that Full Self-Driving (FSD) operates at slow speeds in neighborhoods, suggesting the high-speed crash was inconsistent with system operation.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a special crash investigation into the incident, adding to over 40 probes into Tesla crashes involving advanced driver-assistance systems.
• Local authorities will review the case to decide on potential criminal charges, while full conclusions await detailed analysis of the vehicle's data logs.