Tesla Driver Blames Autopilot for Crash—But His Car Didn’t Even Have It

A Tesla Model 3 driver is claiming his vehicle was operating in Autopilot mode when it crashed into a Texas home, killing a 76-year-old woman inside. However, Harris County Constable’s Office records indicate the car almost certainly did not have Autopilot installed at the time of the incident.

The crash occurred on Rose Hollow Lane, where the posted speed limit is 25 mph, though local reports suggest the road lacks visible signage. Both the driver and the victim were hospitalized, with the victim later succumbing to injuries.

The driver reportedly told deputies he had the Tesla on “auto pilot,” but Tesla’s Autopilot feature was discontinued earlier this year and replaced with “self-driving” software. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation, citing Tesla’s claim that the driver pressed the accelerator pedal to the floor and held it, even after Autosteer was reportedly engaged.

Witnesses described the car traveling over 60 mph, though it remains unclear what driver-assist software, if any, was active. The incident raises further questions about Tesla’s driver-assist systems and the potential for pedal misapplication in emergency situations.