Tesla in the United States is facing two new lawsuits owing to a Cybertruck crash in California that left three college students dead on Thanksgiving Eve 2024.
The families of the crash victims allege that faulty electronic door handles trapped the victims inside the vehicle after it struck a tree and wall, sparking a fatal blaze, according to the New York Times (NYT).
Krysta Tsukahara, 19, and Jack Nelson, 20, were killed along with driver Soren Dixon, 19, when their Tesla slammed into a tree at high speed in Piedmont on November 27. A fourth passenger survived the crash but was injured.
Tesla has faced multiple lawsuits over fatal crashes involving its vehicles, many linked to Autopilot or Full Self-Driving. The company often opts to settle such cases out of court.
Recently, the US Army has confirmed that soldiers in Europe cannot import Tesla’s Cybertruck, saying the electric pickup does not comply with EU safety regulations.
Tesla under fire
The families of the victims, Tsukahara and Nelson, have taken separate legal action against Tesla following the deadly crash. On October 2, the Tsukaharas updated their existing wrongful death case to include Tesla as a defendant, while the Nelsons filed a new suit the following day, according to the NYT.
Lawyers representing both families argue that flaws in the Cybertruck’s door system trapped the victims inside the burning vehicle. The lawsuits arrive only weeks after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched a probe into Tesla’s flush-mounted electric door handles, which sit level with the vehicle’s body.
According to attorney Roger Dreyer, representing the Tsukaharas, the doors failed because the crash cut power to the vehicle. Matthew Davis, attorney for the Nelsons, said Jack initially survived with only minor injuries but died because he was unable to escape, reports Fox.
The truck’s driver, Dixon, also lost his life in the accident. Authorities determined he had been speeding and under the influence. Dixon’s estate is named alongside Tesla in both lawsuits.
Tesla cars often earn top marks in crash safety tests, and the company has promoted its “armor glass” as highly durable—though its debut demonstration famously failed. In this case, reports suggest the students were not killed by the impact but by being trapped inside, succumbing to smoke inhalation and burns.
Fatal design flaw
Tesla’s distinctive flush-mounted electronic door handles are designed to give vehicles a streamlined exterior and minor aerodynamic advantages. Still, they have also been criticized for their complexity and potential safety risks. Each Tesla model has introduced a new version of the handle in a different location, creating confusion even for experienced drivers and passengers. In emergencies, these designs can escape difficulty, according to Electrek.
During the Piedmont crash that killed three, a bystander attempted to break a Cybertruck window after being unable to open the doors, striking it repeatedly before succeeding. Attorneys for the victims’ families argue that an externally operable handle could have saved lives.
Inside Teslas, door releases are primarily electronic, but when power is cut, passengers must rely on hidden mechanical backups. In the Cybertruck, the front manual release sits near the window switches, but the rear requires removing a rubber mat to access a cable hidden in the seat pocket—a difficult task for injured or disoriented passengers, reports Electrek. Other Tesla models have similarly concealed releases in hard-to-find spots, such as beneath carpeting or behind panels.
Tsukahara’s parents say she was still alive after the impact but trapped inside, calling out for help. While parts of the vehicle were blocked by debris, Nelson’s rear passenger door was unobstructed yet impossible to operate in time.
These design choices have drawn scrutiny from regulators. The US NHTSA is now investigating Tesla’s door handle systems, and in China, authorities are considering banning retractable handles altogether as more electric vehicles adopt the trend.