Tesla has failed to escape a U.S. federal lawsuit over a fatal crash involving its Autopilot system, clearing the path for a high-stakes trial this July.
A federal judge in Miami ruled that the family of Naibel Benavides Leon, who died in the 2019 crash, and her then-boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, who was seriously injured, can proceed with claims that Tesla’s Autopilot system was dangerously flawed and lacked sufficient warnings.
“This isn’t just about one tragic accident,” said Javier Martinez, a Miami-based automotive safety attorney not involved in the case. “It’s about whether Tesla’s promise of safety through technology matches the reality.”
U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom said there was enough evidence to suggest Autopilot’s failure was a “substantial factor” in the crash. The 98-page ruling highlighted concerns that Tesla’s in-car warnings and owner’s manual did not adequately alert users to the risks of relying on Autopilot.
The incident occurred on April 25, 2019, in Key Largo, Florida. George McGee, driving a 2019 Tesla Model S with Autopilot enabled, allegedly looked down to retrieve his phone. At 62 mph, he ran a stop sign and red light before plowing into a parked Chevrolet Tahoe, pinning the victims. Benavides Leon was thrown 75 feet and died instantly.
McGee, who is not a defendant, admitted he was distracted but said he believed Autopilot would prevent a collision. That belief, the judge noted, weakens Tesla’s argument that the driver was solely responsible.
Tesla insists Autopilot is not a fully autonomous feature and should only be used with full driver attention. Still, over 800 crashes and at least 13 deaths in the U.S. have involved Autopilot or Full Self-Driving features, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data from 2023.
Judge Bloom dismissed other claims, including negligent misrepresentation and manufacturing defects. But her ruling means Tesla could now face punitive damages if found liable.
The trial is scheduled to begin on July 14 in Florida’s Southern District Court.
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