Tesla Crash in Texas: Two Dead In Self-Driving Tesla Crash After Hitting Tree, Burst Into Flames

Houston police say a deadly car crash involving a Tesla vehicle was believed to have been operating without a driver at the time of the incident on Saturday. 

The crash comes amid growing scrutiny over Tesla's semi-automated driving system following several recent accidents.

According to local media reports, the 2019 Tesla Model S was moving at a high rate of speed when it failed to round a curve, speeding off the roadway, crashing into a tree, and bursting into flames. 

Authorities say there was no one in the driver's seat. After the fire was extinguised authorities found one occupant in the front passenger seat and one in the back. 

Tesla and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The U.S Auto Safety Agency said in March it opened over two dozen investigations into crashes of Tesla vehicles, at least three of them recent.

The latest accident could throw a wrench in Tesla's plans as it prepares to launch its updated full self-driving software to more customers. 

In January, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that he expects huge profits from the software saying he was "highly confident the car will be able to drive itself this year.