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Tesla found partly to blame for fatal Autopilot crash

August 1, 2025

A Florida jury has found Tesla partially liable for a 2019 crash where a Model S using Autopilot killed pedestrian Naibel Benavides Leon and severely injured Dillon Angulo, resulting in potential damages of up to $243 million. Tesla argued that driver George McGee was solely at fault for looking away from the road when he dropped his phone, while the plaintiffs contended that Autopilot should have detected the pedestrians and braked automatically. This represents Tesla's first Autopilot lawsuit to reach a jury verdict rather than being settled, with the company vowing to appeal what it calls a "wrong" decision that jeopardizes automotive safety innovation.

Who is affected

  • Naibel Benavides Leon's family (the deceased pedestrian)
  • Dillon Angulo (severely injured pedestrian with life-long injuries)
  • Tesla (responsible for paying damages and facing reputational harm)
  • George McGee (the driver who settled a separate lawsuit)
  • Tesla shareholders (as Tesla's stock dropped nearly 2% following the news)
  • Potentially the broader automotive industry developing self-driving technology

What action is being taken

  • Tesla is appealing the jury's verdict that found it partially liable
  • Tesla is contesting the damages awarded, noting punitive damages will likely be capped
  • The company is publicly defending its Autopilot system, claiming the accident was solely the driver's fault
  • Tesla's share price is declining in response to the verdict (nearly 2% lower when US markets closed)

Why it matters

  • This marks Tesla's first Autopilot lawsuit to reach a jury verdict rather than being settled
  • The case challenges Tesla's claims about Autopilot's capabilities and safety
  • The verdict represents a setback for Elon Musk's vision of self-driving technology as crucial to Tesla's future
  • The ruling could influence how automotive companies develop, market, and implement self-driving technology
  • The case highlights concerns about Tesla allegedly allowing Autopilot use in inappropriate environments (beyond controlled-access highways)
  • The substantial financial penalty ($243 million potential damages) may impact Tesla's business practices

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC