US watchdog opens probe after Tesla crashes into Texas home, killing woman

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation on March 14, 2024, into a fatal crash involving a Tesla Model 3 in Texas. The crash occurred on March 12, 2024, when the electric vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a home, killing a 40-year-old woman. Authorities are investigating whether the vehicle's "Autopilot" driver-assistance system was engaged at the time of the incident. This marks the latest in a series of investigations by NHTSA into Tesla's Autopilot system, which has been involved in numerous crashes and fatalities. The agency has previously opened investigations into hundreds of crashes involving Tesla vehicles where driver-assistance systems were suspected to be in use. The specific Model 3 involved in the Texas incident was reportedly operating in self-driving mode, according to local law enforcement. The investigation will aim to determine the cause of the crash and assess the safety of Tesla's Autopilot technology.