Mother Sues Tesla After Son’s Tragic Death in Burning Car

UPDATE: A Massachusetts mother has launched a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla after her son tragically died in a car fire due to allegedly defective electric doors. Jacquelyn Tremblett, of Easton, claims her son, 20-year-old Samuel Tremblett, was trapped inside his burning Tesla Model Y on October 29, 2022, pleading for help as flames engulfed the vehicle.

The lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court, reveals harrowing details of Samuel’s final moments. As the vehicle veered off Route 138 and crashed into a tree, he dialed 911, reporting, “I can’t breathe. It’s on fire. Help. Please. I’m going to die.” Tragically, first responders discovered the vehicle engulfed in flames, with multiple explosions reported within the first ten minutes on the scene.

Jacquelyn alleges that the “unreasonably dangerous design” of Tesla’s electric doors prevented her son from escaping, leading to his death by thermal injuries and smoke inhalation. “How could Tesla keep selling vehicles that they know trap people inside their cars after a crash?” she questioned, expressing her deep anguish over the loss of her son, who was a student at Syracuse University and an aspiring fashion designer.

The lawsuit highlights alarming statistics, claiming at least 15 individuals have died since 2016 in similar incidents involving Tesla vehicles where occupants were trapped by electric doors. Jacquelyn’s attorney, Andrew Nebenzahl, emphasizes Tesla’s negligence, stating, “This young man died begging for help,” and accusing the company of prioritizing profits over customer safety.

The suit references Elon Musk‘s previous statements asserting Tesla’s commitment to safety, contrasting them with the tragic reality faced by Samuel. It alleges that despite being aware of the defect, Tesla has continued to manufacture and sell vehicles without adequate safety measures.

In a troubling pattern, the lawsuit cites previous incidents where individuals could not escape burning Tesla vehicles due to malfunctioning electric door handles. For example, a man died in a 2016 crash in Indianapolis after being trapped in his Tesla Model S for over 20 minutes. Another case in Florida involved a driver who was also unable to escape after crashing into a tree.

As this lawsuit unfolds, it raises urgent questions about Tesla’s safety practices and the accountability of major automakers in ensuring the safety of their vehicles. Jacquelyn Tremblett’s case not only seeks justice for her son but aims to shed light on the dangers posed by electric vehicle designs that may endanger lives.

In the coming weeks, attention will be focused on how Tesla responds to these claims and whether further investigations will prompt changes in vehicle design and safety protocols. The implications of this case could resonate widely, influencing public perception and regulatory scrutiny of electric vehicle safety standards.