Syracuse University student dies in Tesla fire; mother files lawsuit against company
A mother has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla after her 20-year-old son was killed in a fiery crash, which she alleges was caused by defective electric doors that trapped him inside the vehicle.
Jacquelyn Tremblett, of Easton, Massachusetts, claims in federal court in Boston that her son, Samuel, a Syracuse University student and fashion designer, called 911 pleading for help as his Tesla Model Y caught fire following a crash on Route 138 on October 29. According to the 911 recording cited in the lawsuit, Samuel told dispatchers, “I can’t breathe. It’s on fire. Help. Please. I’m going to die,” before succumbing to heat and smoke inhalation. The Tesla came to rest in a wooded area about 20 feet from the road, and first responders reported multiple explosions during the initial minutes at the scene.
The lawsuit describes the vehicle’s “unreasonably dangerous design” as the cause of Samuel’s death and cites at least 15 prior fatalities since 2016 involving Tesla vehicles where occupants were trapped due to the electric doors. Tremblett said, “How could Tesla keep selling vehicles that they know trap people inside their cars after a crash? They could have fixed it, but they refused. Now my son is dead after suffering unmercifully.”
Attorney Andrew Nebenzahl, representing Tremblett, said Tesla ignored warnings from its engineers about the risk posed by the electronic door handles. “This young man died begging for help,” Nebenzahl said. “Tesla knew about this defect for years and refused to change the design. They continue to sell these vehicles, prioritizing profits over safety.”
The lawsuit references Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s 2018 statements claiming the company prioritizes safety, including his remarks that Tesla cars are “absolutely hardcore about safety” and a top reason to refer a friend to Tesla is “it’s going to keep your friend safe.” Tremblett’s lawyers argue the reality is far different, alleging the company “carelessly, negligently, unskillfully, with gross negligence designed, manufactured, and marketed dangerously defective vehicles.”
The complaint details the design flaws, including the lack of a manual external override in many Model Y vehicles and inconspicuous interior release mechanisms, which can prevent occupants from escaping in a crash. It also cites prior incidents in which drivers of Tesla Model S vehicles were trapped after collisions, resulting in fatal burns despite being seen alive at the scene.
Tesla has not issued a comment on the lawsuit.
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