Overview

• The trial began July 14 in Miami’s federal court with jury selection and opening statements in the wrongful-death suit over a 2019 Key Largo crash.
• Plaintiffs presented detailed video data and testimony from experts showing Autopilot detected a parked SUV and failed to brake or warn the driver.
• Tesla’s counsel maintains driver George McGee overrode the system by accelerating to 62 mph and caused the collision by dropping his phone.
• Judge Beth Bloom permitted the jury to consider punitive damages and ruled a reasonable jury could find Tesla acted with reckless disregard for life.
• A verdict against Tesla may reshape legal accountability for its current Autopilot fleet and influence the company’s planned robotaxi deployment.