A Jury Will Determine Whether a Car's Technology Contributed to a Death or Simply Did Not Prevent It | Carscoops

      The driver involved in the crash has already accepted blame, but the families of the victims are urging Tesla to acknowledge responsibility as well.

      16 hours ago

      by Stephen Rivers

      Tesla is gearing up to defend its Autopilot system in a jury trial concerning a fatal accident that occurred in 2019.

      A driver operating on Autopilot failed to stop and collided with a stationary vehicle.

      Both the owner of the parked SUV and another individual lost their lives due to the incident.

      A deadly accident in Florida has become the focal point of a legal dispute with potentially significant consequences for driver-assistance technology. In April 2019, a Tesla Model S sped through an intersection, crashing into a parked SUV. The crash resulted in the death of 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and left her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo, severely injured.

      Now, more than five years later, a jury is tasked with determining whether Tesla’s Autopilot system contributed to the accident or if the driver alone is to blame.

      More: Tesla’s Self-Driving Claims Have Recently Triggered Government Actions Across the Atlantic.

      George McGee, the driver, acknowledged to responding officers that he was misusing Autopilot. “I was driving, I dropped my phone, and looked down,” McGee recounted. “I ran the stop sign and hit the guy’s car.” He has settled with the families of Angulo and Leon, who are now preparing for a new confrontation with Tesla in court.

      Autopilot on Trial

      According to NPR, the case has been developing for years, but the distinction now lies in that a jury—not a judge—will assess Tesla’s Autopilot and its involvement in the crash. The plaintiffs contend that McGee believed the vehicle could operate autonomously and that Autopilot should have intervened or kept him engaged. However, McGee disagrees, stating, “I was highly aware that it was still my responsibility to operate the vehicle safely,” he told authorities.

      Tesla has consistently maintained that drivers are aware they remain responsible for operating the vehicle. Thus far, this argument has proven effective in court.

      Numerous articles fail to accurately depict the nature of our safety systems, yet the recent article by the Washington Post stands out for its significant inaccuracies and lack of necessary context. We at Tesla feel a moral responsibility to continue…— Tesla (@Tesla) December 12, 2023

      When this case first gained attention in 2019, it also relied on McGee’s own account that highlighted his lack of attention. This point was reiterated in Tesla’s defense in 2023. “The driver later testified in the litigation that he knew Autopilot didn’t make the car self-driving and that he was the one in control,” it stated.

      The trial commenced today, July 14, and could set a crucial precedent in either direction. Courts have previously concluded that drivers bear the responsibility of operating vehicles, even if the technology is capable of assisting.

      A Potential Turning Point for Automakers

      Conversely, should the jury determine that Tesla is liable, it could compel the company—and potentially other automakers—to reassess their strategies to limit legal exposure. Regardless of the trial's outcome, it has the potential to influence how juries and manufacturers perceive driver-assist technology in the foreseeable future.

      Credit: NBC 5