A US family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla, alleging that faulty electronic door handles prevented a young driver from escaping his vehicle after a crash, leading to his death in a fire. The case centers on 20-year-old Samuel Tremblett, a Syracuse University student, who died after becoming trapped inside a burning Tesla Model Y following an accident last year.
According to the lawsuit, Tremblett survived the initial impact and made a desperate call to emergency services moments after the crash. Court documents state that he told a 911 operator he could not get out of the vehicle and was struggling to breathe as the fire spread. “I am stuck in a car crash. I cannot get out. Please help me. I am going to die,” he reportedly said during the call.
The crash occurred around 1 a.m. on October 29, 2025, when Tremblett’s vehicle crossed into the southbound lane of Route 138 and struck a tree. While he initially remained alive after the collision, the car quickly caught fire. Police officers arrived at the scene but were unable to rescue him due to the intensity of the blaze and reported explosions from the vehicle. His remains were later found in the back seat after the fire was extinguished.
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The lawsuit alleges that Tesla’s flush-mounted electronic door handles failed following the crash, preventing Tremblett from opening the doors. It claims the design is defective and unreasonably dangerous, particularly during electrical failures caused by severe accidents or fires. Although Tesla vehicles are equipped with a manual door release, the suit argues that it is not clearly marked or easily accessible in emergency situations.
The legal filing also points to at least 15 similar deaths since 2016 involving Tesla vehicles in which occupants were allegedly trapped after crashes. US safety regulators are currently investigating nearly 200,000 Tesla vehicles over door handle safety concerns. China has already announced a nationwide ban on automated car door handles, citing safety risks. Tesla has not publicly responded to the lawsuit at this time.
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