The parents of a 19-year-old woman who died in a Tesla Cybertruck crash in California have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the electric carmaker. The incident occurred on 27 November 2024 in Piedmont, California, when the vehicle struck a tree and caught fire.
The lawsuit, filed in Alameda County Superior Court, alleges that the design of the Cybertruck's door handles prevented the victim, Krysta Tsukahara, from escaping. When the fire cut power to the electric doors, passengers were trapped inside. The only manual release for rear doors is a cable hidden under a pocket liner, which the suit claims was inaccessible.
Attorney Roger Dreyer, representing the family, stated: 'The design of this vehicle failed Krysta. There was no functioning, accessible manual override or emergency release for her to escape.' The suit notes that Tsukahara died from smoke inhalation and burns, not from crash injuries, and that she called for help after the collision.
The Cybertruck's flush door handles, a signature design feature promoted by CEO Elon Musk, have faced scrutiny from safety experts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently investigating the system. The vehicle has received eight recalls since its launch less than two years ago.
The family is also suing the estate of the driver, Soren Dixon, who died in the crash. A coroner's report found he was under the influence of alcohol, cocaine, and amphetamines. A friend who witnessed the crash broke a window and rescued one passenger but could not save Tsukahara.
Tesla has faced other lawsuits over vehicle safety, including a $243m judgment in Florida over its Autopilot system. The Tsukahara family's statement said: 'Her death was preventable. She was alive after the crash. She called out for help. And she couldn't get out.'
