Tesla goes to trial over Autopilot in fatal crash case
- In April 2019, a fatal accident in Florida resulted in the death of a 22-year-old student and severe injuries to her boyfriend.
- Tesla argues that the crash was caused by driver distraction and that the Autopilot system was not responsible.
- The case marks a pivotal moment in the scrutiny of autonomous vehicle technology and could impact public trust in Tesla.
In April 2019, a tragic incident occurred in Key Largo, Florida, when a 22-year-old college student, Naibel Benavides Leon, was killed after being struck by a Tesla Model S while she and her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, were stargazing near a parked vehicle. The driver of the Tesla, George Brian McGee, had the Autopilot feature activated but became distracted while searching for his dropped cell phone, missing crucial road signs and driving at high speeds before crashing into the parked SUV. The case against Tesla is groundbreaking, being the first wrongful death lawsuit involving its Autopilot system to reach trial, raising questions about the vehicle's safety and the company’s responsibility in such incidents. Legal experts consider the trial significant, as it may influence public perception of Tesla's self-driving technology, with Tesla asserting that the crash resulted from a distracted driver rather than a flaw in their Autopilot system. The federal court case commenced in July 2023, with the plaintiffs arguing that Tesla should be held responsible due to claims that Autopilot failed to adequately alert the driver about the imminent crash. A ruling against Tesla could adversely affect the company as it aims to reassure the public regarding its autonomous driving capabilities amid declining sales and increasing scrutiny from regulators over Autopilot-related incidents.