Tesla Found Liable in 2019 Autopilot Crash; Ordered to Pay $329 Million
A Florida jury on Friday found Tesla liable for a fatal crash involving its Autopilot system, ordering the company to pay $329 million to the family of a deceased woman and an injured survivor.
Jurors in Miami federal court awarded $129 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages to the estate of Naibel Benavides Leon and her former boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, following a trial focused on the April 25, 2019, incident.
The crash occurred when George McGee drove his 2019 Model S at approximately 62 mph through an intersection, colliding with a parked Chevrolet Tahoe where the victims were standing. McGee reportedly lost control while reaching for a dropped cellphone, allegedly receiving no warning alerts prior to running a stop sign and traffic light.
This case marks a significant moment in ongoing legal challenges against Tesla regarding its vehicle's self-driving features. Experts indicated the jury's finding suggests potential defects in the Autopilot software.
Benavides Leon was reportedly thrown 75 feet from the impact and died, while Angulo sustained serious injuries. Plaintiffs' attorney Brett Schreiber emphasized that Tesla designed Autopilot without restrictions for non-highway use, noting, “Today's verdict represents justice for Naibel's tragic death and Dillon's lifelong injuries.”
Tesla is expected to appeal the verdict. The company, which recently reported its largest quarterly sales decline in over a decade, did not comment immediately.