Miami Jury Finds Tesla 33% Liable in $329M Fatal Autopilot Crash

A Miami federal jury found Tesla partially liable for a 2019 fatal crash involving its Autopilot technology, assigning the automaker 33 percent of the blame and ordering it to pay $329 million in combined punitive and compensatory damages. The crash occurred when Tesla driver George McGee, with Autopilot engaged, was distracted searching for a dropped phone and collided with a parked SUV, killing pedestrian Naibel Benavides and severely injuring her boyfriend Dillon Angulo. The jury determined McGee was 67 percent liable but held Tesla accountable because its Autopilot system is designed only for controlled-access highways yet is not restricted from use on other roads, potentially giving drivers a false sense of security. This verdict marks a historic legal milestone as the first major trial ruling against Tesla's Autopilot system, challenging Elon Musk's claims about its safety and effectiveness. Tesla has stated it will appeal the decision and maintains that the driver was fully responsible. The families and their attorneys view the verdict as a significant step toward holding Tesla accountable for the risks of their driver-assistance technology.