Tesla Faces Jury Trial Over Fatal 2019 Autopilot Crash in Florida

Tesla is currently on trial in Miami federal court over a 2019 crash involving its Autopilot driver-assistance system, in a case that could set a precedent for the company's liability in fatal incidents. The lawsuit was filed by Dillon Angulo and the family of Naibel Benavides, who was killed when a Tesla Model S, operated by George McGee and using Autopilot, collided with a stationary SUV at a T-intersection. Benavides and Angulo, who was seriously injured, were standing outside the SUV at the time of the crash.

Tesla argues it is not at fault, citing vehicle data indicating that McGee pressed the accelerator and overrode the Autopilot system moments before the collision. The company maintains that its driver-assistance features "require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous," according to statements on its website. Plaintiffs contend that Autopilot failed to warn the driver of the impending crash and that the car's automatic emergency braking system should have intervened, even if Autopilot was not fully engaged.

The trial is being held in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Legal experts note that, under Florida law, the plaintiffs must prove that Tesla exhibited "reckless disregard for human life equivalent to manslaughter" in the design and marketing of its vehicles. Previous similar cases have resulted in verdicts favoring Tesla, but the judge in this case has allowed the plaintiffs to seek punitive damages and noted that Tesla's refusal to limit Autopilot's use to certain areas could influence the jury's decision.