Design flaws caused a Tesla Model 3 to suddenly accelerate out of control before it crashed into a utility pole and burst into flames, killing a woman and severely injuring her husband, a lawsuit alleges.

Design flaws caused a Tesla Model 3 to suddenly accelerate out of control before it crashed into a utility pole and burst into flames, killing a woman and severely injuring her husband, a lawsuit filed in federal court alleges.

Another defect, with the door handle design, thwarted bystanders who were trying to rescue the driver, Jeff Dennis, and his wife, Wendy, from the car, according to the lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

Wendy Dennis died in the Jan. 7, 2023, crash in Tacoma, Washington. Jeff Dennis suffered severe leg burns and other injuries, according to the lawsuit.

  • ExLisperA
    1·
    10 hours ago

    Another defect, with the door handle design, thwarted bystanders who were trying to rescue the driver, Jeff Dennis, and his wife, Wendy, from the car

    I don’t get this argument. In most cars door lock automatically and don’t unlock in case of a crash. The bystanders wouldn’t be able to open the door in vast majority of modern cars. In Tesla you may not be able to open to door from the inside as well which is worse but I don’t know what defect they are talking about.

    • SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.caEnglish
      2·
      9 hours ago

      They are talking about the defect that will make the most money. All cars autolock and cannot be opened regardless of handle or not. This is why firemen just jam an axe and twist or use a Halligan.