Parents Claim Tesla Ignored Known Flaw That Killed Their Daughter
Parents sue Tesla for causing their daughter’s gruesome death
In a heart-wrenching lawsuit filed on Thursday in Alameda County Superior Court, the parents of 19-year-old college student Krysta Tsukahara accuse Tesla of causing their daughter’s gruesome death due to a critical design flaw in its Cybertruck. The arts student perished in a fiery crash in a San Francisco suburb, allegedly trapped inside the vehicle as flames and toxic fumes overwhelmed her. According to the lawsuit, first reported by The New York Times, Tesla was aware of the door malfunction issue for years but failed to act, leaving Krysta to suffer a horrific fate—burned by flames and suffocated by smoke.
The tragedy unfolded when the Cybertruck, driven by an intoxicated driver under the influence of drugs, slammed into a tree. Three of the four occupants, including Krysta and the driver, lost their lives. A fourth passenger was rescued only after a bystander smashed a window to pull them out. The lawsuit claims the vehicle’s doors, reliant on battery-powered mechanisms, became inoperable when the battery was damaged in the fire. Manual overrides, intended as a backup, were allegedly difficult to locate and use, effectively trapping Krysta inside the burning vehicle.
This legal action comes at a pivotal moment for Tesla, as the company, led by billionaire Elon Musk, pushes to convince the public of its vehicles’ safety, particularly for autonomous driving. The lawsuit follows a recent investigation launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) into complaints about Tesla’s doors failing to open, including cases where parents couldn’t access their children trapped in back seats, forcing some to break windows to free them. The NHTSA probe, initiated last month, underscores growing concerns about the safety of Tesla’s door mechanisms.
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The Tsukahara family’s lawsuit is not an isolated case. In August, a Florida jury awarded over $240 million to the family of another college student killed in a Tesla crash, citing safety failures. These mounting legal challenges cast a shadow over Tesla’s reputation as it navigates scrutiny from regulators and consumers alike. The company, which recently propelled Musk to a net worth of approximately $500 billion, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit.
The allegations highlight a broader debate about the safety of Tesla’s cutting-edge designs, with critics arguing that innovation must not come at the cost of basic functionality. As the case moves forward, it raises urgent questions about accountability and whether Tesla prioritized profits over addressing known risks. For now, the Tsukahara family seeks justice for their daughter, hoping to prevent other families from enduring similar tragedies.
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