The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a special investigation following a deadly crash involving a Tesla Model 3 in Texas. The incident took place last Friday near Houston, when the vehicle, operating with an automated driving feature, collided at high speed with a residential home, killing a 76-year-old woman identified as Martha Avila.

According to a police report from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the driver confirmed using the vehicle’s automated system at the time of the crash. However, authorities have not determined what role, if any, the technology played in the collision. The driver was found not to be impaired and is cooperating with investigators.

Video footage obtained from local media shows the Tesla speeding across the front lawn of a brick house in Katy before crashing into a front room. The impact left the vehicle embedded inside the home amid debris, including plaster, broken beams, and furniture.

The NHTSA’s inquiry is notable due to the significance of Tesla’s automated driving technology, which is central to the company’s plans for expanding robotaxi services. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, intends to introduce these automated vehicles in several U.S. cities later this year and has proposed allowing Tesla owners to add their cars to the robotaxi fleet using the same software.

This investigation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Tesla’s self-driving systems. Last year, NHTSA opened a separate probe into 58 incidents where Teslas allegedly violated traffic laws while using automated features, resulting in over a dozen crashes, fires, and numerous injuries. Additionally, earlier investigations focused on Tesla’s compliance with federal requirements for timely reporting of crashes involving its vehicles.

Tesla has not yet issued a response regarding the latest incident or the NHTSA’s investigation. The agency continues to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the crash as it examines the safety implications of advanced vehicle automation technology.