A federal judge in Miami, U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom, upheld a $243 million jury verdict against Tesla for a fatal 2019 crash involving the company’s Enhanced Autopilot system. The judge’s decision was issued on February 20, 2026, confirming that Tesla remains liable for the damages.
The August 2025 jury found Tesla 33 percent responsible for the crash that killed 22‑year‑old Naibel Benavides Leon and severely injured her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo. The jury awarded $43 million in compensatory damages—$19.5 million to Benavides’ estate and $23.1 million to Angulo—alongside $200 million in punitive damages. The verdict is the first federal jury decision in a fatal Autopilot‑related crash.
The crash occurred on April 25, 2019, when driver George McGee was bent down to retrieve a dropped phone, drove through an intersection at high speed, and struck a parked SUV. Tesla’s legal team argued that the driver was solely at fault and that the vehicle was not defective, while plaintiffs contended that Tesla’s marketing of Autopilot created a false sense of security and contributed to driver inattention. The court found the evidence presented at trial more than supported the jury’s findings and rejected Tesla’s attempt to relitigate prior rulings.
Tesla had previously rejected a $60 million settlement offer before the trial, a decision that proved costly. The verdict imposes a substantial financial liability on Tesla and underscores the ongoing legal risks associated with its Autopilot technology. It also signals to investors and regulators that Tesla’s autonomous driving systems remain under intense scrutiny and that the company may need to adjust its litigation strategy and product safety initiatives.
Since the August 2025 verdict, Tesla has settled at least four additional Autopilot crash lawsuits and continues to face dozens of pending cases. The outcome may influence future litigation tactics, product design, and communication strategies around driver assistance features, as the company seeks to mitigate similar liabilities and maintain consumer confidence.
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