Katy family mourning grandmother killed after Tesla crashes into home

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A Katy-area family is grieving the loss of their beloved grandmother after a Tesla crashed into their home Friday night, killing 71-year-old Martha Avila.

The crash happened in a typically quiet neighborhood near Fry Road while the Barbour family was preparing dinner. According to her son-in-law, Avila was in the front playroom when the Tesla slammed through the front of the house.

Video provided by the family shows the vehicle plowing directly into the home. Avila suffered catastrophic injuries and later died.

ORIGINAL REPORT: Driver told deputies Tesla was on Autopilot during crash through Katy-area home, killing woman: HCSO

"She was a blessing," said her daughter, Jennifer Barbour. "I honestly don't know what I would do without her. She never complained during the 11 years she lived with us."

Avila served as a caretaker for the family's three children and was a central figure in their household.

"She was the typical Latino mom," Jennifer Barbour recalled through tears. "The one who follows you around with a sweater when it's 80 degrees outside. Cough syrup everywhere. Overprotective about everything. It's very tragic she had to go this way."

Son-in-law Justin Barbour says Avila had walked to the front play room to get something out of the small refrigerator when she was hit. The car then crashed into the kitchen, which he had left just moments before.

"I left the stove to walked out of the room and literally was out of the room and I heard the crash," recalled Justin Barbour. "Our kitchen's totaled, nobody would have survived."

The Harris County Sheriff's Office initially reported that the driver told deputies the Tesla was operating in a self-driving mode at the time of the crash. Authorities have not confirmed whether any automated driving features were engaged.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened its own investigation into the incident.

Additional video from nearby residents appears to show the Tesla traveling at a high rate of speed through neighborhood streets before the crash.

Despite speculation online, the Barbour family is urging the public not to jump to conclusions while investigators work to determine exactly what happened.

"Nothing's been proven yet," Justin Barbour said. "Everyone online is jumping to conclusions, and the world has enough animosity among people already."

Jennifer and Justin Barbour have hired an attorney, and a lawsuit is expected to be filed.

As of Monday, no charges had been filed against the driver.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office said the investigation remains ongoing and had no new updates to provide.

Meanwhile, the Barbour family says they are staying in hotels while they determine their next steps and begin the difficult process of mourning the loss of Martha Avila.

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