Tesla is under legal fire following a tragic accident that claimed the life of 19-year-old Krysta Tsukahara in California. The teenager, a college student visiting family over Thanksgiving, died in a fiery crash involving a Tesla Cybertruck in Piedmont, California, on the night of November 27, 2024. Four passengers were in the vehicle when it struck a tree at high speed and ignited, leaving only one survivor.

Story Highlights

• Victim: Krysta Tsukahara, 19-year-old college student

• Incident: Tesla Cybertruck crash in Piedmont, California, on November 27, 2024

• Fatalities: Three deaths, one survivor

• Cause of Death: Smoke inhalation and burns due to trapped doors

• Allegation: Cybertruck door handle design prevented escape

• Legal Action: Lawsuit filed in Alameda County Superior Court against Tesla and driver’s estate

• Tesla Safety Concerns: Electric flush doors under NHTSA investigation, eight recalls since launch

• Witness Account: Friend attempted to rescue passengers by breaking a window

• Keywords for SEO: Tesla Cybertruck crash, Cybertruck door handle lawsuit, California teen killed Cybertruck, Cybertruck fire accident, Tesla safety lawsuit

The family of Tsukahara filed a lawsuit Thursday in Alameda County Superior Court, claiming that the design of the Cybertruck’s door handles directly contributed to her death. According to court documents, when the vehicle caught fire, electrical power to the doors was cut off, leaving passengers trapped inside.

“The design of this vehicle failed Krysta,” said Roger Dreyer, the attorney representing the Tsukahara family. “There was no functioning, accessible manual override or emergency release for her to escape.”

The lawsuit details how the rear doors of the Cybertruck could only be opened by pulling a cable hidden underneath the door’s storage liner. From the outside, the doors remained locked, and Tesla’s signature flush handles made it difficult for first responders to gain entry.

Tesla has not issued a public comment on the lawsuit. However, the company’s electric door handles have long been a point of pride for CEO Elon Musk. Flush with the vehicle’s body, the handles provide a sleek, streamlined look but have drawn scrutiny from car safety experts. The design is now under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The lawsuit also alleges that Tesla had prior knowledge of the risks associated with its electronic door systems. “Owners, bystanders, and first responders documented instances where Tesla occupants survived crash forces but could not escape when electrical power failed and fire ensued,” the filing states.

Despite high safety ratings in crash tests, the Cybertruck has faced eight recalls since its debut less than two years ago. Tesla has also been involved in other high-profile lawsuits regarding vehicle safety, including a $243 million jury ruling in Florida over its Autopilot driver assistance system.

The family is also pursuing legal action against the estate of the driver, Soren Dixon, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol, cocaine, and amphetamines at the time of the crash and also died in the accident. Witnesses say a friend driving behind the Cybertruck attempted to save the passengers by breaking a window, successfully rescuing one person, but Tsukahara could not be reached through the flames.

According to the lawsuit, Tsukahara did not suffer physical trauma from the collision itself. She survived the impact but succumbed to smoke inhalation and burns because she was trapped inside the burning vehicle.

“Her death was preventable,” said Carl and Noelle Tsukahara, her parents, in a statement. “She was alive after the crash. She called out for help. And she couldn’t get out.”

The case raises critical questions about vehicle design, safety, and emergency accessibility in electric vehicles. The Cybertruck’s door handle design, which Tesla has marketed as innovative and futuristic, is now at the center of a legal and safety debate.

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