logo
Tesla heads to Miami court for wrongful death trial involving Autopilot system

Tesla heads to Miami court for wrongful death trial involving Autopilot system

CBS News14-07-2025
Tesla heads to federal court in Miami on Monday to defend its Autopilot system in a wrongful death case involving the death of a 22-year-old college student.
The fatal crash took place in April 2019, when a Model S Tesla equipped with the Autopilot technology struck a parked vehicle in Key Largo, Florida, killing one woman and gravely injuring a man.
The lawsuit, originally filed in April 23, 2021, in the 11th Judicial Court of Florida in Miami-Dade County, marks the first wrongful death case against Tesla to make it to trial. The plaintiffs, Dillon Angulo, and the family of Naibel Benavides Leo, who was killed in the accident, are requesting punitive damages and compensation for medical costs and other expenses.
The trial will be a major test for the EV maker which has had to contend with slumping sales and a hit to its stock price after CEO Elon Musk took on a central role within the Trump Administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk has since stepped back from leading DOGE, although earlier this month after renewing a squabble with President Trump over the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, he floated launching a third party, dubbed the "America Party" — a move experts say could further imperil the billionaire's company's future. Tesla is also in the midst of rolling out its self-driving Robotaxis, which were part of a pilot in Austin Texas last month.
The lawyers representing the plaintiffs in the case did not respond to CBS MoneyWatch's request for comment.
Autopilot's reputation at stake
According to recent court filings connected to the case, Tesla-owner George McGee had the Autopilot function of his 2019 Tesla Model S activated as he was driving on two-lane rural road in Key Largo on April 25, 2019. McGee dropped his phone as he was approaching an intersection, and lost sight of the road as he bent down to pick it up, court documents state.
In that moment, McGee's car allegedly plowed through the T-shaped intersection at over 60 miles per hour failing to break before crashing into the side of Chevrolet Tahoe truck parked on the side of the road, killing Naibel Benavides Leon, 22, and seriously injured her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo who were standing by the truck, which was owned by Angulo.
At issue is whether the car's Autopilot system was defective and contributed to the death of Benavides. In a court filing, Todd Poses, one of the plaintiff's lawyer claims that design defects in the car's Autopilot system failed to detect obstacles, such as the profile of the Chevy Tahoe, resulting in the death of Benavides.
In its Motion for Summary Judgement, filed on June 26, Tesla argues that the Autopilot feature "did not make the car 'self-driving'" and that McGee was aware "was high aware that it was still [his] responsibility to operate the vehicle safely even with Autopilot activate."
"The evidence clearly shows that this crash had nothing to do with Tesla's Autopilot technology. Instead, like so many unfortunate accidents since cell phones were invented, this was caused by a distracted driver. To his credit, he took responsibility for his actions because he was searching for his dropped cell phone while also pressing the accelerator, speeding and overriding the car's system at the time of the crash. In 2019 when this occurred, no crash avoidance technology existed that could have prevented this tragic accident," Tesla said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch.
Trial Details
The trial begins July 14.
Mary Cummings, a George Mason University professor and expert on advanced driver-assistance systems is likely to testify at the trial, documents from the lawsuit's docket indicate. McGee, the driver of the car, is also expected to testify.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

EU-US trade deals buoy stocks while Tesla plummets
EU-US trade deals buoy stocks while Tesla plummets

Yahoo

time10 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

EU-US trade deals buoy stocks while Tesla plummets

Stock markets mostly bumped upwards Thursday as hopes grew that the European Union could strike a trade deal with the United States, while Tesla shares nosedived on poor earnings results. Investors have profited in recent weeks from wagers that governments will eventually hammer out pacts with Donald Trump ahead of the US president's looming August 1 deadline to avoid steeper levies. analyst Patrick O'Hare said Trump's Tuesday trade announcement with Japan had raised hopes about further agreements. "There is underlying enthusiasm for more trade deals being struck before the August 1 deadline," O'Hare said. This was boosted further by "optimism surrounding trade talks between the US and EU", said Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at Rostro trading group. On Wall Street, both the S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq edged higher in the morning's trading, although the Dow slid lower as investors digested mixed company earnings. Google parent Alphabet was among the early gainers, rising about three percent after reporting a whopping $28.2 billion in second-quarter profits as it touted its artificial intelligence offerings. But Tesla fell around nine percent as CEO Elon Musk warned investors of a rough patch for earnings after the electric car maker reported a 16-percent drop in quarterly profits. A survey of US manufacturers released Thursday showed business confidence in the world's top economy also deteriorated in July for the second month running. "Companies cite ongoing concerns over the impact of government policies, notably in terms of both tariffs and cuts to federal spending," said Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence. In Europe, London's FTSE 100 gained 0.9 percent at the close, lifted by a stream of robust earnings, including from consumer goods group Reckitt, mobile phone giant Vodafone and Lloyds bank. Paris fell, dragged down by a drop in luxury stocks and disappointing profits from fossil fuel giant TotalEnergies. Yet most other European stocks markets including Frankfurt rose, as the European Union and Washington appeared close to a deal that would halve a threatened 30-percent levy on EU goods to 15 percent. A European Commission spokesman said Thursday that he believed a trade deal with the US is "within reach". According to multiple diplomats, the deal could waive tariffs on aircraft, lumber, pharmaceutical products and agricultural goods. The bloc, however, is still forging ahead with contingency plans in case talks fail, with member states approving a 93-billion-euro ($109-billion) package of counter-tariffs on US goods. Meanwhile, the European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged, as widely expected. It warned that the economic environment remained "exceptionally uncertain, especially because of trade disputes" as higher US tariffs hang in the balance. The euro dipped a touch following Thursday's rate decision, but it did perk up after ECB President Christine Lagarde said the central bank was monitoring the dollar-euro exchange rate but had no target. The euro has surged almost 14 percent against the dollar since the start of the year, boosted by investors dumping US assets in the face of Trump's impetuous policymaking and attacks on the US Federal Reserve. The euro's appreciation helps contain inflation but could harm European exports and thus slow already sluggish economic growth. In Asia, stocks advanced with Tokyo adding more than one percent, building on a more than three percent surge Wednesday on the back of the Japan-US trade deal. Hong Kong and Shanghai also rose. - Key figures at around 1530 GMT - New York - Dow: DOWN 0.4 percent at 44,851,07 points New York - S&P 500: UP 0.3 percent at 6,375.34 New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.3 percent at 21,075.70 London - FTSE 100: UP 0.9 percent at 9,138.37 (close) Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.4 percent at 7,818.28 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.2 percent at 24,295.93 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.6 percent at 41,826.34 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.5 percent at 25,667.18 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.7 percent at 3,605.73 (close) Dollar/yen: UP at 146.79 yen from 146.47 yen on Wednesday Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1774 from $1.1777 Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3537 from $1.3579 Euro/pound: UP at 86.98 pence from 86.68 pence West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.3 percent at $66.09 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.1 percent at $69.26 per barrel burs-sbk/rl Sign in to access your portfolio

PGT Introduces New Panel Sizes for Popular Preferred View Sliding Glass Door
PGT Introduces New Panel Sizes for Popular Preferred View Sliding Glass Door

Yahoo

time10 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

PGT Introduces New Panel Sizes for Popular Preferred View Sliding Glass Door

VENICE, Fla., July 24, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PGT Custom Windows and Doors, part of the MITER Brands portfolio and America's authority in high-performance windows and doors, announced today the launch of larger panel sizes for its WinGuard® Aluminum Preferred View Sliding Glass Door (SGD770NS). The Preferred View Sliding Glass Door now offers door panels with up to 60 square feet of glass in sizes as large as 6' wide x 10' tall or 5' wide x 12' tall. These expanded dimensions are available in a variety of operating configurations depending on panel height. All sizes up to 12' tall are offered in bypass and pocket configurations, while 90-degree or 135-degree corner configurations are available for doors with panels up to 10' in height. "Over the past decade, we've seen consistent demand for more glass and less frame," said Brian Covey, Vice President of Sales, MITER Brands-South. "This latest enhancement gives homeowners the expansive sizes and minimal sightlines they're looking for. True to its name, the Preferred View Sliding Glass Door delivers wide-open views and natural light like never before." Since its launch in 2023, the Preferred View Sliding Glass Door has become a favorite among homeowners and builders for its narrow 2.5" interlocks—half the width of standard designs—and its ability to scale up to 8 panels wide. Now capable of creating openings up to 48 feet wide, the door offers a striking way to maximize views, integrate indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly, and develop a sense of openness in any room. Part of PGT's WinGuard Aluminum impact-resistant door series, the Preferred View Sliding Glass Door features a robust aluminum frame engineered for durability, long-lasting strength, and performance. The door is also equipped with heavy-duty tandem rollers for smooth, fingertip opening. At the same time, a dual-point locking mechanism enhances security by preventing the panels from being lifted off the tracks. With the addition of larger panel sizes for the Preferred View Sliding Glass Door, PGT continues to push the boundaries of innovation and design, offering homeowners bold new ways to customize their living spaces with the sleek and modern aesthetics they desire. Learn more about PGT at ABOUT PGT CUSTOM WINDOWS AND DOORS PGT Custom Windows and Doors, part of the MITER Brands portfolio, is America's authority in high-performance windows and doors. With decades of proven industry leadership and over 8+ million units installed, PGT Custom Windows and Doors has a consistent track record of leading the space with an unwavering focus on safety and innovation. Its product lines include WinGuard® aluminum and vinyl frames for impact resistant windows, ClassicVue Max™ aluminum frames for non-impact windows, and EnergyVue® vinyl frames for non-impact windows. PGT Custom Windows and Doors has a primary focus of protecting families' lifestyle choices with a commitment of delivering industry-best service. Backed by innovative technology, homeowners can enjoy their home life with greater peace of mind, wherever they choose to live, knowing they are protected from storms, noise, and intrusion. For more information, visit About MITER Brands Founded in 1947, MITER Brands is a residential window and door manufacturer that produces a portfolio of window and door brands for the new construction and replacement segments with an owner-operated, family-first approach. With more than 20 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States, MITER Brands is a nationwide supplier of precision-built and energy-efficient products. Through optimized manufacturing, valued relationships, and dedicated team members coast to coast, MITER Brands instills confidence and drives quality customer experiences. The name "MITER" is an acronym reflecting five of our core strengths: Manufacturing, Innovation, Trust, Experiences, and Relationships. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts MEDIA CONTACT: Maureen Murray 973-713-7367 precise2@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

30 Years of APEAL: All Vehicle Areas Improve for First Time in Nearly a Decade, J.D. Power Finds
30 Years of APEAL: All Vehicle Areas Improve for First Time in Nearly a Decade, J.D. Power Finds

Business Wire

time12 minutes ago

  • Business Wire

30 Years of APEAL: All Vehicle Areas Improve for First Time in Nearly a Decade, J.D. Power Finds

BUSINESS WIRE)--New-vehicle owners today are more passionate about their vehicle than ever, according to the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, SM released today. Overall satisfaction is 851 (on a 1,000-point scale), an increase of 4 index points from a year ago and the highest level since the study was last redesigned in 2020. Scores in all 10 categories in the study improve compared with last year—an achievement for the industry that has not occurred in almost a decade. The gains are led by a 13-point improvement in satisfaction with fuel economy, followed by infotainment and interior, which each increase by 6 points. 'For three decades, the APEAL Study has tracked which new vehicles excite and delight owners the most,' said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power. 'Manufacturers have made significant advancements that continue to redefine the vehicle ownership experience and have become more adept at translating innovation into meaningful customer engagement. However, the study finds that owners of new models have lower levels of satisfaction with vehicle setup and startup—as well as infotainment systems—compared with owners of carryover models. This suggests that increasing technology and menu complexity remain persistent challenges for the industry.' Now in its 30th year, the APEAL Study complements the annual J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study SM (IQS) and the J.D. Power U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study SM by measuring owners' emotional attachment and level of excitement with their new vehicle. The APEAL Study asks owners to consider 37 attributes, ranging from the sense of comfort they feel when climbing into the driver's seat to their exhilaration when they step on the accelerator. Vehicle owners' responses to queries about these attributes are aggregated to compute an overall APEAL Index score. Following are some key findings of the 2025 study: Premium brands outpace mass market brands in emotional satisfaction gains, led by Tesla: While emotional satisfaction among owners of mass market brands improves 2 points, it rises 11 points among owners of premium vehicles, largely driven by Tesla. The brand has achieved a year-over-year improvement of 20 points or more across all categories in the study, with the exception of powertrain (+6 points), which has consistently remained its area of greatest strength. Complicated technology derails owner satisfaction with new-model launches: Owners of carryover models express more emotional affinity for their vehicle than do owners of new-model launches (852 vs. 846, respectively) for a second consecutive year. Similarly, new models—which make up 14% of the industry this year—suffered from lower quality performance in this year's J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study. Also, in this year's APEAL Study, the largest satisfaction gaps for launch vehicles are in vehicle setup/startup (via the app) and infotainment—gaps that are especially pronounced in the premium segment, where carryover models score 48 points higher for setup/startup and 26 points higher for infotainment. Satisfaction more consistent among ICE and hybrid owners: The study indicates that among new-vehicle owners, internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicles deliver more consistent satisfaction, while plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) exhibit greater year-over-year fluctuations. Notably, satisfaction among owners of BEVs (860, excluding Tesla) drops 17 points from a year ago when comparing across fuel types, while PHEVs (855) improve 14 points. Customers indicate that PHEVs and hybrids hit the sweet spot for pleasing them with regard to fuel economy, range and charging speed. Individual user profiles boost vehicle appeal: Just over half (55%) of vehicle owners are creating individual user profiles in their vehicle—features that allow personalization of settings such as seat position and climate control. The study reveals that premium vehicle owners are adopting this feature at twice the rate of mass market owners, and that when profiles are set up, owners across both segments cite increased emotional satisfaction. Highest-Ranking Brands Porsche ranks highest among premium brands for a second consecutive year, with a score of 890. Land Rover (886) ranks second and BMW (881) ranks third. MINI ranks highest among mass market brands for a second consecutive year, with a score of 876. Dodge (868) ranks second and GMC (852) ranks third. Model-Level APEAL Awards The corporation receiving the most model-level awards (for models ranking highest in their respective segment) is BMW AG (five segment awards and highest-ranking model), followed by Hyundai Motor Group (four segment awards), and Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen AG, each with three segment awards. The complete list of award recipients is: BMW X6 is the highest-ranking individual model. Kia K5 receives a model-level award for a fifth consecutive year. BMW X4, MINI Countryman, Land Rover Range Rover and Porsche Taycan each receive model-level awards for a third consecutive year. Hyundai Sante Fe and Ford Super Duty each receive model-level awards for a second consecutive year. See the rank charts and list of model-level award winners at The 2025 U.S. APEAL Study is based on responses from 92,964 owners of new 2025 model-year vehicles who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study was fielded from June 2024 through May 2025 based on vehicles registered from March 2024 through February 2025. For more information about the U.S. APEAL Study, visit About J.D. Power J.D. Power is a global leader in automotive data and analytics, and provides industry intelligence, consumer insights and advisory solutions to the automotive industry and selected non-automotive industries. J.D. Power leverages its extensive proprietary datasets and software capabilities combined with advanced analytics and artificial intelligence tools to help its clients optimize business performance. J.D. Power was founded in 1968 and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more about the company's business offerings, visit The J.D. Power auto-shopping tool can be found at

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store