Judge Confirms $243M Verdict Against Tesla Following Deadly Autopilot Incident

A federal judge has upheld a significant jury verdict against Tesla, rejecting the company’s request to overturn a $243 million ruling related to a tragic 2019 crash involving an Autopilot-equipped Model S. This incident resulted in the death of a 22-year-old woman and left her boyfriend severely injured.

In a decision made public on Friday, U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom, based in Miami, stated that the evidence presented during the trial “more than supports” the jury’s August 2025 verdict. Tesla did not introduce any new arguments that would warrant setting aside the verdict.

Elon Musk’s Tesla is anticipated to appeal the ruling. Neither Tesla nor its legal representatives immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the decision.

The case originated from an incident on April 25, 2019, in Key Largo, Florida. George McGee was driving his 2019 Model S at approximately 62 mph (100 kph) when he bent down to search for his dropped phone. This distraction led him to crash into an SUV occupied by Naibel Benavides Leon and Dillon Angulo, who were standing beside it on the shoulder. Tragically, Benavides lost her life in the collision.

During the trial, jurors determined that Tesla was 33% responsible for the crash. They awarded $19.5 million in compensatory damages to Benavides’ estate and $23.1 million to Angulo, in addition to $200 million in punitive damages to be divided between them. McGee had previously settled with the plaintiffs.

This verdict marks a significant milestone as it is the first from a federal jury concerning a fatal accident involving Tesla’s Autopilot feature.

Tesla Blamed Driver for Striking Victims

In its efforts to reverse the verdict, Tesla argued that McGee should bear sole responsibility for the crash, asserting that his Model S was not defective and that the jury’s decision defied common sense. The company contended that automakers “do not insure the world against harms caused by reckless drivers,” and claimed that punitive damages should be zero, as it did not demonstrate “reckless disregard for human life” under Florida law.

Adam Boumel, an attorney representing Benavides’ estate and Angulo, expressed satisfaction with the ruling.

“From day one, Tesla has refused to accept responsibility,” Boumel stated in an email. “Autopilot was defective, and Tesla put it on American roads before it was ready and before it was safe.”

Tesla has faced numerous lawsuits concerning its vehicles’ self-driving capabilities, but most have been resolved or dismissed without proceeding to trial. Musk, recognized as the world’s richest person, has consistently promoted Tesla as a frontrunner in the realm of autonomous driving for both private vehicles and robotaxis.

Topics
Legislation
Tesla

A federal judge has upheld a significant jury verdict against Tesla, rejecting the company’s request to overturn a $243 million ruling related to a tragic 2019 crash involving an Autopilot-equipped Model S. This incident resulted in the death of a 22-year-old woman and left her boyfriend severely injured.

In a decision made public on Friday, U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom, based in Miami, stated that the evidence presented during the trial “more than supports” the jury’s August 2025 verdict. Tesla did not introduce any new arguments that would warrant setting aside the verdict.

Elon Musk’s Tesla is anticipated to appeal the ruling. Neither Tesla nor its legal representatives immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the decision.

The case originated from an incident on April 25, 2019, in Key Largo, Florida. George McGee was driving his 2019 Model S at approximately 62 mph (100 kph) when he bent down to search for his dropped phone. This distraction led him to crash into an SUV occupied by Naibel Benavides Leon and Dillon Angulo, who were standing beside it on the shoulder. Tragically, Benavides lost her life in the collision.

During the trial, jurors determined that Tesla was 33% responsible for the crash. They awarded $19.5 million in compensatory damages to Benavides’ estate and $23.1 million to Angulo, in addition to $200 million in punitive damages to be divided between them. McGee had previously settled with the plaintiffs.

This verdict marks a significant milestone as it is the first from a federal jury concerning a fatal accident involving Tesla’s Autopilot feature.

Tesla Blamed Driver for Striking Victims

In its efforts to reverse the verdict, Tesla argued that McGee should bear sole responsibility for the crash, asserting that his Model S was not defective and that the jury’s decision defied common sense. The company contended that automakers “do not insure the world against harms caused by reckless drivers,” and claimed that punitive damages should be zero, as it did not demonstrate “reckless disregard for human life” under Florida law.

Adam Boumel, an attorney representing Benavides’ estate and Angulo, expressed satisfaction with the ruling.

“From day one, Tesla has refused to accept responsibility,” Boumel stated in an email. “Autopilot was defective, and Tesla put it on American roads before it was ready and before it was safe.”

Tesla has faced numerous lawsuits concerning its vehicles’ self-driving capabilities, but most have been resolved or dismissed without proceeding to trial. Musk, recognized as the world’s richest person, has consistently promoted Tesla as a frontrunner in the realm of autonomous driving for both private vehicles and robotaxis.

Topics
Legislation
Tesla