Tesla found partially liable for fatal crash involving Autopilot software

A jury in Florida has found Tesla partly responsible for a deadly 2019 crash involving its Model S sedan using Autopilot software. The crash killed pedestrian Naibel Benavides Leon, 22, and left her boyfriend Dillon Angulo severely injured. The plaintiffs argued that the software should have alerted the driver and activated the brakes before the crash occurred. Tesla, however, maintained that the driver, George McGee, was at fault, stating that his actions, such as speeding and looking for his phone, caused the crash. The verdict awarded $329 million in damages, with Tesla required to pay $42.5 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages, although Tesla plans to appeal. Critics argue Tesla’s Autopilot software has been misrepresented as more advanced than it is, and that the company’s actions have jeopardized public safety. The case is notable as it is the first involving Tesla’s Autopilot to go to a jury trial, after several prior cases were settled. Despite Tesla’s claims, experts emphasize the flaws in its self-driving technology. This trial follows growing scrutiny of Tesla’s practices and is a setback for Elon Musk’s vision of a self-driving future for his company.