Overview

• Krysta Tsukahara’s parents added Tesla to their wrongful‑death suit in Alameda County, alleging rear‑seat occupants could not access a manual release after the Cybertruck lost power.
• The November 27, 2024 crash in Piedmont, California killed three of four occupants, and a passerby rescued the sole survivor by breaking a window.
• The complaint says Tesla long knew electronic door systems posed an entrapment risk and seeks unspecified punitive damages.
• NHTSA opened a preliminary investigation last month into reports that Tesla doors can become inoperable, including cases where adults had to smash windows to reach children in back seats.
• Owner materials and the suit describe the Cybertruck’s rear manual release as hidden behind a pocket liner and cable, and Tesla has not commented on the new filing while its chief designer recently discussed making emergency releases easier to use.