A woman in her 70s is dead after a Tesla crashed into a home in Katy on Friday night, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash happened near the intersection of Rose Hollow Lane and Blooming Park Lane. Authorities said the vehicle struck the house with enough force that the woman was pinned underneath it. She was pronounced dead at the scene by Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
The male driver of the Tesla was transported to a hospital by ambulance following the crash. His condition has not been released.
According to officials, the driver told investigators the vehicle was operating on autopilot at the time of the crash. The circumstances surrounding how the vehicle left the roadway and struck the home remain under investigation.
The identities of both the driver and the victim have not been released by authorities as of Friday night.
Harris County Sheriff’s deputies remained on scene processing the crash site. It is not yet known whether any charges will be filed in connection with the incident.
This is at least the latest in a string of crashes nationwide involving vehicles operating in autopilot or similar driver-assistance modes, which have drawn scrutiny from federal safety regulators in recent years. It was not immediately confirmed whether this specific incident will be referred to federal investigators.
Neighbors on Rose Hollow Lane were left shaken after the crash, with the home sustaining significant structural damage from the impact.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available from Harris County officials.
