| "Well before this tragedy, Defendant Tesla had received repeated notice that its vehicles were prone to Sudden Uncommanded Acceleration [SUA], explosive fires, whether triggered by a crash or occurring spontaneously, and that such fires were difficult and time-consuming to extinguish. Tesla also knew that its decision to prevent its AEB system from activating would allow otherwise preventable collisions to kill and maim people. Tesla knew that its reliance on electronic door systems created a serious risk of occupant entrapment after crashes. Owners, rescuers, and regulators had documented prior incidents where Tesla occupants survived crash forces but were unable to escape when power failed and fire ensued. Despite these warnings, Defendant Tesla continued to market and sell vehicles including the subject vehicle that predictably trapped survivors in foreseeable emergencies." "The Dennises were traveling westbound on South 56th Street, toward the intersection with South Washington Street, in Tacoma, Washington, when their Tesla Model 3 suddenly and rapidly accelerated out of control, continuing to accelerate faster and faster for at least 5 seconds before crashing into a utility pole on the northwest corner of South 56th and South Washington streets shortly after 1:00 PM. 9. Video footage from a nearby business shows the Dennis Model 3 rapidly accelerating and swerving to avoid hitting other vehicles as it sped out of control. At no time did the Model 3s Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system engage prior to it crashing into the utility pole. Immediately upon impact the Model 3 burst into flames, in what was only the beginning of an extremely hot fire that immediately engulfed the Model 3 and would burn for many hours before responders from the fire department were able to extinguish it completely. Several bystanders ran to the vehicle and attempted to assist Jeff and Wendy Dennis but the Model 3s door handles would not operate by design making it impossible for anyone to open the doors from the outside of the vehicle. Several good Samaritans even attempted to use a baseball bat to break the car windows to help the Dennisses out of the burning vehicle. However, the increasingly intense fire forced them to distance themselves from the rapidly growing fire. They could only watch helplessly from a distance as the severely injured Jeff and Wendy burned in the inferno. The Tesla as it struck the utility pole. [photos] Seconds after impact the Tesla exploded into flames." https://ia801700.us.archive.org/25/items/gov.uscourts.wawd.3... Italics are mine HN commenters sometimes reply to stories about Tesla crashes by asserting that it was the driver's fault, Tesla batteries rarely catch fire, etc. Perhaps this comment will draw some of those replies Other cases mentioning "sudden uncommanded acceleration" include Inkie Lee v. Tesla, Inc. (C.D. Cal. 2020) Djemil v. Tesla Inc (W.D. Wash. 2021) Thakrar v. Tesla, Inc. (N.D. Ill. 2022) Leach v. Tesla, Inc. (N.D. Cal. 2023) There are hundreds of wrongful death cases involving Tesla fires Tesla fans are entitled to their opinions |