Tesla driver charged with manslaughter in Katy crash was Googling ‘FSD too timid’

This is a story about a fatal crash, not an energy-efficiency upgrade, so it falls outside what Retrofit Relay usually covers for homeowners planning energy work. Still, here is what happened: a Tesla driver in Katy, Texas has been charged with manslaughter after his car crashed into a home in June, killing a 76-year-old woman inside. Prosecutors say the driver, who was doing DoorDash deliveries, had Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) system engaged but pressed the accelerator himself, overriding the car's speed control while FSD kept steering. The car reportedly reached about 73 mph in a residential area before hitting a curb, going airborne, and crashing through the house.

Investigators found no mechanical failure and no medical cause like a seizure or stroke. They did find recent Google searches from the driver's phone about FSD being "too timid" or "not aggressive enough." The driver faces a second-degree felony charge, is out on bond, and is due back in court soon. The victim's family has also filed a separate lawsuit against Tesla.

For homeowners, this story has no direct bearing on energy upgrades, rebates, or home efficiency. It is included here only as a news item about a serious traffic incident involving a home, not as guidance on retrofit planning.