The parents of Krysta Tsukahara, a 19-year-old college student, have filed a lawsuit against Tesla, alleging that a design flaw in the Tesla Cybertruck contributed to their daughter's tragic death in a car accident. According to the lawsuit, Krysta died from flames and smoke after being unable to escape the burning vehicle. The parents contend that the design flaw made it extremely difficult to open the doors during a fire, which ultimately hindered her attempts to escape.
The lawsuit claims that Tesla was aware of this flaw for years and failed to take necessary actions to rectify the issue. This inaction, as per the allegations, left Tsukahara to suffer a horrific fate—being burned and suffocated by smoke after the car caught fire following a collision. At the time of the accident, Tsukahara was a back seat passenger in a Cybertruck that crashed into a tree, driven by an individual under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The incident took place in a suburb of San Francisco and resulted in the deaths of three of the four individuals in the vehicle, including the driver. The sole survivor was rescued after a good Samaritan broke a window to reach inside.
This lawsuit was filed in the Alameda County Superior Court shortly after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into numerous complaints regarding stuck doors on Tesla vehicles. These complaints indicate a concerning scenario where Tesla drivers were unable to open rear doors to rescue children, prompting some to resort to breaking windows to access them. The timing of this legal action coincides with Tesla's efforts to assure consumers of the safety of its vehicles, particularly as the company pushes towards advanced driver-assistance technologies.
The suit highlights specific concerns regarding the Cybertruck's design—asserting that the doors do not open when the battery, which powers the electronic door mechanisms, is compromised during a fire. Furthermore, the manual releases intended to override the battery locks are purportedly difficult to locate, making escape in emergency situations exceedingly challenging.
This lawsuit is not an isolated incident. Tesla has faced multiple litigations concerning various safety issues over the years. In August, a jury in Florida ruled in favor of the family of another deceased college student who was killed by a runaway Tesla, awarding them over $240 million in damages. Such legal rulings underscore the mounting scrutiny Tesla faces regarding its commitment to vehicle safety.
The continued investigations and legal battles pose significant challenges for Tesla, especially when it comes to public perception. As the company endeavors to build confidence in its products amid increasing scrutiny, incidents like the one involving Krysta Tsukahara draw attention to the need for stringent safety standards and responsive design improvements.
