Family Sues Tesla Over Fatal Door Design Flaw That Trapped Teen in Burning Cybertruck

The family of Krysta Tsukahara has filed a lawsuit against Tesla, claiming their 19-year-old daughter perished in a Cybertruck accident due to a critical door design flaw. According to the legal filing submitted Thursday, Tsukahara was trapped in the back seat of the burning vehicle after it crashed into a tree in San Francisco.

The lawsuit alleges that Tesla, the company that has propelled Elon Musk to become the world's wealthiest individual, was aware of this serious defect for years. The parents claim the company could have implemented a solution quickly but failed to do so, resulting in their daughter's tragic death from burns and smoke inhalation as she desperately attempted to escape the vehicle.

Tesla has not responded to requests for comment regarding these allegations.

This legal challenge emerges shortly after federal regulators launched an investigation into multiple complaints about Tesla's door mechanisms. Both the investigation and lawsuit arrive at a critical juncture for Tesla as the company works to convince consumers that its vehicles will soon be safe enough for fully autonomous operation.

The incident occurred when Tsukahara was traveling in a Cybertruck with three others. The driver, reportedly under the influence of alcohol and drugs, crashed into a tree in a San Francisco suburb. The collision resulted in the deaths of three occupants, including the driver. A fourth passenger was rescued after a bystander broke a window to extract them from the vehicle.

The New York Times was first to report on the lawsuit.

The alleged defect prevents doors from opening when the battery powering the electronic door system is damaged in a fire or otherwise disabled. Additionally, the manual release mechanisms designed to override the electronic locks are reportedly difficult to locate in emergency situations.

This case follows several other lawsuits claiming various safety issues with Tesla vehicles. In August, a Florida jury ruled in favor of another college student's family, awarding more than $240 million in damages after their child was killed by an out-of-control Tesla several years ago.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiated its investigation into Tesla's door mechanisms last month after receiving reports from drivers who were unable to open rear doors to retrieve their children after exiting their vehicles. In some instances, parents reportedly had to break windows to reach their children trapped inside.