A Washington man is taking legal action against Tesla, claiming that design flaws in his car led to a horrific crash that killed his wife and left him with severe injuries.
A Tragic Day and a Sudden Acceleration
On January 7, 2023, Jeff Dennis, 53, and his wife, Wendy, were running errands in their 2018 Tesla Model 3. According to a federal lawsuit filed on Friday and obtained by the Daily Mail, their vehicle suddenly and rapidly accelerated without any warning or command from the driver.
The court documents state that the car continued to accelerate faster and faster for at least five seconds. Security footage reportedly showed Jeff Dennis swerving in a desperate attempt to avoid other cars before the vehicle ultimately crashed into a utility pole.
Trapped in a Burning Vehicle
Upon impact, the Tesla erupted into flames. The lawsuit alleges that the fire was caused by defective batteries and a faulty battery pack design.
Tragically, the danger was compounded by the car's door handles. The complaint states that rescuers and even good Samaritans were unable to open the doors due to a defective door handle design that becomes inoperable after a crash. People attempted to break the windows with a baseball bat, but the intensifying fire forced them back.
First responders arrived minutes later and extracted the couple. Wendy Dennis, 52, was pronounced dead from multiple blunt force injuries, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office. Her husband Jeff survived but suffered extreme burns to his legs and numerous other injuries.
Allegations of Negligence and Known Defects
The lawsuit accuses Tesla of negligence and gross negligence. It claims the company had received repeated notice that its vehicles were prone to Sudden Uncommanded Acceleration and explosive fires, both spontaneous and collision-related.
Furthermore, the suit alleges that Tesla deliberately prevented its Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system from activating in such scenarios, allowing otherwise preventable collisions to occur. It also states Tesla was aware that its electronic door system created a serious risk of occupant entrapment after crashes.
Despite these alleged warnings, the complaint says Tesla continued to market and sell vehicles that predictably trapped survivors in emergencies. Jeff Dennis is seeking financial claims and wrongful death damages for both himself and his late wife's estate and has requested a jury trial. The Daily Mail has approached Tesla for comment.
