Tesla Ordered by Florida Jury to Pay $243 Million in Fatal Autopilot Crash
A Miami jury has ruled that Tesla is partly responsible for a fatal 2019 crash in the Florida Keys involving its Autopilot technology and ordered the company to pay $243 million in damages to the family of Naibel Benavides Leon, a 22-year-old woman who died, and her boyfriend Dillon Angulo, who was severely injured.
Details of the Crash and Verdict
The crash occurred when Tesla Model S driver George McGee, using the Enhanced Autopilot system, ran a stop sign and red light at over 60 mph, colliding with a parked SUV and striking the couple standing beside it.
Naibel Benavides was killed instantly, her body thrown approximately 75 feet, while Dillon Angulo sustained multiple injuries including a traumatic brain injury.
The jury found Tesla 33% liable, citing that its Autopilot software failed to prevent the crash and did not warn or brake as expected, while the driver bore 67% responsibility.
Tesla must pay $200 million in punitive damages and $43 million in compensatory damages out of the total $329 million awarded; the driver had settled earlier with the victims’ family.
Legal Arguments and Reactions
Plaintiffs argued Tesla’s Autopilot was designed only for controlled-access highways but was deliberately allowed for use on roads like in Florida, despite its limitations. They criticized Elon Musk’s public statements disproportionately praising Autopilot’s capabilities.
Tesla maintains the driver was distracted, looking for his phone, and that no vehicle in 2019 or currently could have avoided the accident fully. The company plans to appeal, calling the verdict wrong and harmful to automotive safety technology development.
The case is the first time Tesla has been ordered by a jury to pay damages specifically linked to its Autopilot feature in a trial.
Impact and Industry Significance
This ruling marks a significant milestone in the scrutiny of autonomous driving technologies and Tesla's responsibilities. It underscores the complex liability issues surrounding semi-autonomous systems that require driver supervision. The verdict may influence regulatory and legal approaches to self-driving systems as Tesla continues expanding its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Tesla Florida Autopilot Crash Verdict
Q1: What was the jury verdict against Tesla in Florida?
The jury found Tesla 33% liable and ordered it to pay $243 million in damages for a 2019 fatal crash involving its Autopilot technology.
Q2: What happened in the 2019 Florida crash?
A Tesla Model S on Autopilot ran a stop sign and red light, colliding with a couple standing next to a parked vehicle; a woman died and her boyfriend was severely injured.
Q3: Who else was held responsible?
The driver, George McGee, was found 67% responsible and had previously settled a lawsuit with the victims.
Q4: What is Tesla's response to the verdict?
Tesla plans to appeal, asserting the driver was fully responsible and that the verdict undermines the development of life-saving autonomous technology.
Q5: What damages was Tesla ordered to pay?
$200 million in punitive damages plus $43 million in compensatory damages, totaling $243 million from the $329 million awarded.
Q6: Does this affect Tesla’s Autopilot technology use and development?
The verdict raises scrutiny on Autopilot's safety and regulatory oversight, potentially impacting Tesla’s autonomous driving initiatives and industry standards.
Published on: August 2, 2025
Published by: PAVAN
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