01.08.2025 22:51

A Miami federal jury delivered a $243 million verdict against Tesla on Friday, holding the company partially responsible for a fatal 2019 Autopilot crash in Florida. The substantial judgment stems from a three-week trial that concluded with jurors assigning Tesla 33% liability for the accident.

The crash, which occurred in the Florida Keys, involved a Tesla Model S driven by George McGee that failed to stop at a T-intersection, resulting in a collision with a parked Chevrolet Tahoe. Tragically, Naibel Benavides Leon perished in the impact, while her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, suffered severe injuries. The jury's decision awarded $42.5 million in compensatory damages and a further $200 million in punitive damages to the victims' families.

Following less than a day of deliberation, the jury determined McGee bore the remaining 67% of the responsibility for the accident. This allocation of fault reflects the evidence presented, which included testimony from Tesla engineers, independent experts, and McGee himself. McGee testified that Autopilot was engaged at the time of the collision and that he was distracted.

Brett Schreiber, lead counsel for the victims, hailed the verdict as a victory for justice, asserting that it holds Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, accountable for prioritizing self-driving hype over human safety. He argued that the company’s actions contributed to the devastating consequences of the crash.

However, Tesla swiftly responded by announcing its intention to appeal the judgment. In a statement, the company strongly contested the verdict, characterizing it as erroneous and detrimental to the advancement of automotive safety. They cited alleged legal errors and procedural irregularities during the trial as grounds for their appeal.