❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal lawsuit has been filed against Tesla and will go before a jury. Plaintiffs argue that the Autopilot system failed to function properly ahead of a fatal crash, that the technology’s capabilities have been overstated, and Tesla acted with reckless disregard for safety for profit.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tesla, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Dillion Angulo, the family of Nabiel Benavides, George Brian McGee, and Elon Musk
📍WHEN & WHERE: Miami, Florida, July 14, 2025
💬KEY QUOTE: “A reasonable jury could find that Tesla acted in reckless disregard of human life for the sake of developing their product and maximizing profit.” – Judge Beth Bloom
🎯IMPACT: The case could alter Tesla’s reputation and influence future regulations on the Autopilot technology.
A lawsuit tied to a 2019 fatal crash involving Tesla’s Autopilot system will proceed to a jury trial in federal court this week. The civil case stems from a collision that killed Nabiel Benavides and seriously injured Dillion Angulo after the driver, George Brian McGee, allegedly activated Autopilot while distracted.
The proceedings will take place at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and mark the first time a jury will hear arguments about the responsibility of Tesla’s Autopilot system in a fatal accident. The plaintiffs argue the company exaggerated the system’s capabilities and failed to include safety features that could have prevented the crash.
Tesla has denied the allegations, asserting the crash was not caused by its technology. The company claims that the driver overrode Autopilot by pressing the accelerator and that all crash responsibility lies with him. “The evidence clearly shows that this crash had nothing to do with Tesla’s Autopilot technology,” a spokesman said.
However, court filings indicate the vehicle’s onboard systems recorded data showing it recognized obstacles ahead, including a parked SUV and a pedestrian. The plaintiffs argue that Tesla’s emergency braking system failed to engage and that Elon Musk misled the public on what Autopilot could actually do.
Judge Beth Bloom, who is overseeing the case, stated in a recent ruling that a jury could find Tesla acted “in reckless disregard of human life” in its pursuit of technological advancement and market share. Her decision clears the way for a high-stakes trial that could impact how driver-assist systems are regulated nationwide.
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