Tesla to pay over $200 million for fatal crash involving Autopilot

Tesla must pay $243M after a fatal crash with Autopilot involving George McGee and Naibel Benavides in Florida.

: A Florida jury found Tesla partly liable for a crash involving Autopilot, awarding victims $243 million in damages. The 2019 incident involved George McGee, whose Model S collided with a parked SUV in Key Largo, killing 22-year-old Naibel Benavides. Tesla was deemed 1/3 responsible as its software failed to brake, a failure Elon Musk's remarks about Autopilot were considered relevant to. Despite this decision, Tesla plans to appeal, arguing it hinders safety advancements in autonomous technology.

The incident took place in 2019 in Key Largo, Florida, when George McGee was driving a Tesla Model S at night with the Autopilot mode engaged. While McGee was distracted searching for his phone, the vehicle failed to stop at an intersection and crashed into a legally parked black SUV at over 50 miles per hour. The crash tragically resulted in the death of 22-year-old college student Naibel Benavides and caused serious injuries to her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, who was standing nearby.

This case marked a significant turning point as it was the first such lawsuit against Tesla to reach a jury trial, unlike previous cases that were settled out of court. The jury found Tesla partially liable, bearing 1/3 responsibility for the crash due to its Autopilot system not initiating a brake, despite Elon Musk's public assertions of its superior safety compared to human drivers. McGee was deemed 2/3 responsible for the incident.

Tesla was consequently ordered to pay $243 million in punitive and compensatory damages, which consists of a portion of the total responsibility. Brett Schreiber, representing the plaintiffs, argued that Tesla's design and advertising decisions regarding Autopilot played a crucial role in the crash, emphasizing that the system was not meant for non-highway use. These assertions were part of the plaintiffs' successful strategy in court.

Despite the jury's verdict, Tesla plans to appeal the decision, criticizing the legal process's irregularities and arguing that this verdict ultimately undermines the advancement of life-saving technology. The company has faced several lawsuits for its autonomous system's failures, but this ruling is particularly pivotal due to its significant financial implications. Tesla's planned appeal reflects its commitment to defending its technologies and vision.

The outcome of this trial comes at a time when Tesla is actively promoting its autonomous services, such as the 'Robotaxi' program. Robotaxi's launch in Austin and San Francisco has met mixed responses, with incidents of hard braking and swerving reported. However, the company remains ambitious about deploying autonomous vehicle technology further, insisting that they prioritize safety innovations.

Sources: Gizmodo, CNBC, New York Times

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