Tesla Must Pay $243 Million Judgement Over Fatal 2019 Autopilot Crash
Jalopnik • • business
Key Points:
- A U.S. District judge in Miami upheld a $243 million jury verdict against Tesla for a 2019 fatal crash involving an Autopilot-equipped Model S, rejecting Tesla's request to overturn the decision.
- The crash occurred when the driver, George McGee, looked for his phone and collided with a parked vehicle, killing Naibel Benavides Leon and severely injuring Dillon Angulo; Tesla was found 33% responsible.
- The jury awarded compensatory and punitive damages totaling $243 million, marking the first federal jury verdict related to a fatal Autopilot accident; Tesla has indicated plans to appeal but has not presented new arguments.
- Plaintiffs' lead counsel emphasized Tesla's accountability for misleading Autopilot capabilities
