Family Claims Cybertruck Turned Into a Fiery Trap That Claimed Driver's Life | Carscoops

      Family of Michael Sheehan sues Tesla and a Texas bar, claiming Cybertruck defects led to his fiery death

       August 26, 2025 at 16:16

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       by Stephen Rivers

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      Family alleges defects in Tesla Cybertruck trapped 47-year-old driver during fiery crash in August.

      The lawsuit also charges Barn Whiskey Bar with over-serving alcohol prior to the incident.

      The plaintiffs seek over $1 million in damages despite the Cybertruck receiving the top safety rating from NHTSA.

      

      A tragic accident involving a Tesla Cybertruck has escalated into a legal dispute. Over a year after Michael Sheehan tragically lost his life in a single-vehicle crash, his family has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against both Tesla and a Texas bar, asserting that both bear responsibility for the incident.

      

      

      The complaint, filed in Harris County District Court, indicates that Sheehan owned the Cybertruck for only 102 days at the time of the crash. After leaving Barn Whiskey Bar in Cypress, Texas, he was involved in a crash approximately seven miles away, resulting in the vehicle leaving the road, striking a culvert, and igniting into flames.

      More: Witness Says Cybertruck Doors Wouldn’t Open In Fatal California Crash

      At the time of the incident, the cause of the crash remained unclear. Investigators had difficulty identifying the body due to the intensity of the fire. However, there are now some insights into possible contributing factors.

      

      

      

      

      Allegations Against The Bar

      Sheehan’s family claims that Barn Whiskey Bar over-served him, even though he was “clearly intoxicated.” The lawsuit states that “it was apparent to the provider that MICHAEL SHEEHAN was obviously intoxicated to the extent that he presented a clear danger to himself and others.”

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      Additionally, the family holds Tesla accountable, asserting that the Cybertruck is inherently dangerous. The lawsuit claims the “battery cell chemistry used is hyper-volatile and prone to thermal runaway.” The family argues that Tesla could have opted for “battery cell chemistry with slower thermal propagation readily available, which allows greater time for escape post-crash.”

      The family highlights other perceived defects, including issues with the battery modules and packs, the placement of vents in those components, and the difficulty of locating the door handles in an emergency situation.

      What The Family Seeks

      

      

      Essentially, the family contends that had the fire spread more slowly and if exiting the vehicle had been less complicated, Sheehan would have been able to escape. Consequently, they are pursuing damages exceeding $1,000,000. It is also important to note that the Cybertruck has received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA.

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      HT: CarComplaints