Tesla Faces $243 Million Verdict Over Fatal Autopilot Crash; Chevrolet Silverado EV Sets New Range Record
A Florida jury orders Tesla to pay $243 million in damages for a fatal 2019 Autopilot crash, while Chevrolet's Silverado EV achieves a record 1,059-mile range on a single charge.
A Florida jury has ordered Tesla to pay $243 million in damages following a 2019 fatal crash involving its Autopilot system. The accident resulted in the death of 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and serious injury to Dillon Angulo when a Tesla Model S, driven by George McGee, collided with their parked vehicle. McGee admitted to being distracted by his cellphone at the time. The jury found Tesla partially liable, citing the Autopilot system's failure to disengage or alert the driver to the impending danger. The verdict includes $200 million in punitive damages and $43 million in compensatory damages. Tesla plans to appeal the decision, maintaining that drivers must remain attentive while using Autopilot.
In other developments, Chevrolet's Silverado EV Work Truck has set a new record by traveling 1,059.2 miles on a single charge. The test involved 40 team members driving at low speeds over seven days, using a 205-kWh battery pack with no major modifications. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by Lucid Motors, which stood at 748.9 miles.
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