The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opens a special investigation into a deadly Tesla crash near Houston, following reports that a Tesla Model 3 was using an automated driving feature at the time of impact. Multiple outlets report that the crash occurred on Friday when the vehicle slammed into a home at high speed, resulting in the death of a 76-year-old woman who was standing inside the house. NHTSA says it is launching the investigation through its special probe process, reflecting the agency’s focus on how the vehicle’s automation-related technology functioned during the incident. The probe is framed as significant because the vehicle’s driver-assistance system is part of broader technology Tesla promotes. Coverage also notes that the incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of automated driving features and their safety performance in real-world conditions. The investigation is expected to examine factors such as the vehicle’s operating mode, system logs, and the circumstances leading up to the crash, while authorities continue to investigate the event.