On August 1, 2025, a Miami federal jury delivered a historic verdict: Tesla was deemed partly responsible—33% liability—for a fatal 2019 crash involving its Autopilot system. The crash took place in Key Largo, FL, when 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and her boyfriend Dillon Angulo were struck by a Tesla Model S equipped with Autopilot. Benavides died, and Angulo suffered serious injuries. (turn0search1, turn0news19)
Verdict Breakdown
- Total award: $243 million, consisting of $129 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages.
- Tesla’s share: 33% of compensatory damages—$42.6 million—plus the full punitive award.
- Driver’s alleged fault: The jury assigned 67% of blame to George McGee, who was not a defendant and thus not liable for damages. (turn0search1, turn0search13, turn0news18)
According to testimony, McGee was distracted while searching for his phone, traveling at over 50 mph, and passed through a T-intersection without stopping. The Autopilot system allegedly failed to disengage or alert him, even after detecting a parked SUV and pedestrian prior to impact. (turn0news18, turn0search13)
Tesla’s Response & Market Reaction
Tesla has announced plans to appeal, calling the verdict a setback for the development of autonomous-driving safety technology. The company asserts the driver was primarily at fault. Meanwhile, Tesla’s stock dropped 1.8% on the day—down about 25% year-to-date—and investor concerns are mounting regarding regulatory headwinds and judicial risks to its robotaxi plans. (turn0search7, turn0news20)
Key Takeaways
- First-ever Autopilot verdict by a jury: Tesla had previously settled most crash-related cases out of court. This ruling sets a new legal precedent.
- Shared responsibility model: Even though the driver admitted negligence, Tesla didn’t fully escape blame.
- Technology scrutiny intensifies: The case centers on the adequacy of Autopilot’s design, warnings, and intended usage—especially on non-highway roads.
- Legal and regulatory ripple effects: The outcome may open doors for additional lawsuits involving ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) failures. (turn0search10, turn0news19)
Implications & Future Outlook
- Impact on future litigation
Lawyers warn this ruling could embolden more plaintiffs to pursue trials rather than settle. Legal responsibility for li‑assistant
