Elon Musk denies Tesla’s Autopilot caused crash that killed grandmother
<p>A few days after a <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/06/woman-killed-when-tesla-driver-using-autopilot-crashed-into-her-home/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tesla plowed through a Texas home and killed a grandmother</a>, the family sued the carmaker, alleging that the Model 3’s automated assist mode was defective.</p>
<p>In a <a href="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Barbour-v-Tesla-Complaint-6-24-26.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">complaint</a> filed this week in Harris County District Court, Jennifer Barbour, the daughter of 76-year-old Martha Avila, and Barbour's husband Justin confirmed they were seeking more than $1 million in damages following their sudden and tragic loss.</p>
<p>After the crash, the driver, Michael Butler, who is also a named defendant in the lawsuit, told police that the automated driver-assist feature was engaged when he lost control of the car. Cops told Ars on Monday that they’re still investigating whether the feature was in use and confirmed that Butler was not intoxicated and has been cooperating with police.</p><p><a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/06/elon-musk-denies-teslas-autopilot-caused-crash-that-killed-grandmother/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read full article</a></p>
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