A Florida federal jury on Friday ordered Tesla to pay $243 million in damages related to a 2019 fatal crash involving its Autopilot feature. The case centered around the death of Naibel Benavides Leon and injuries suffered by her then-boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, during a high-speed crash in a Model S. The jury awarded $129 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages. Tesla was found 33% liable, amounting to $42.6 million of the compensatory total. The driver, George McGee, held 67% liability but was not named as a defendant and will not pay.
The plaintiffs argued that Tesla allowed Autopilot use outside safe, controlled-access highways. Their attorney, Brett Schreiber, said the system wasn’t restricted despite Elon Musk’s claims that Autopilot drove “better than humans.” “Today’s verdict represents justice for Naibel’s tragic death and Dillon’s lifelong injuries,” Schreiber said in a statement after the ruling.
Tesla responded quickly, stating it would appeal the verdict. The company called the outcome “wrong” and warned that it could “set back automotive safety” across the industry. Tesla said the ruling could delay innovation in driver-assistance and autonomous technology. Tesla shares dropped 1.8% on Friday following the decision. The stock is down 25% year-to-date.
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This trial is the first wrongful death case involving a third party where Autopilot went to trial. Most previous lawsuits have either been dismissed or settled out of court. Legal experts say this ruling could trigger more lawsuits and raise settlement values. In June, a judge denied Tesla’s motion to dismiss the case, clearing the way for this landmark trial. The plaintiffs had initially sought $345 million in total damages.
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