Massachusetts Mother Files Urgent Lawsuit Against Tesla After Son’s Tragic Death

UPDATE: A Massachusetts mother has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla after her 20-year-old son was tragically burned alive in his car due to allegedly defective electric doors. Jacquelyn Tremblett claims in her lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court, that the “unreasonably dangerous design” of Tesla’s Model Y left her son, Samuel Tremblett, trapped as flames engulfed the vehicle.

On October 29, 2022, Samuel’s Tesla veered off Route 138 in Easton, crashed into a tree, and ignited. Distressingly, he called 911, pleading for help: “I can’t breathe. It’s on fire. Help. Please. I’m going to die,” he said, as recorded in the 911 call. First responders reported hearing four explosions within minutes of arriving at the scene, where they found the vehicle heavily damaged and engulfed in flames.

The lawsuit reveals that Samuel died from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation after being unable to escape. Jacquelyn claims that Tesla has ignored reports of at least 15 similar deaths since 2016, where victims were trapped inside vehicles due to the electric door design. “How could Tesla keep selling vehicles that they know trap people inside their cars after a crash?” she asked, expressing her anguish over her son’s horrific death.

Samuel was not just a student at Syracuse University; he was also a budding fashion designer with aspirations of launching his own clothing line. His attorney, Andrew Nebenzahl, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “This young man died begging for help.” Nebenzahl asserts that Tesla has been aware of the door defect for years yet has failed to implement necessary changes, prioritizing profits over customer safety.

The lawsuit cites a 2018 statement by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who claimed the company was “absolutely hardcore about safety.” However, Jacquelyn’s legal team argues that the design flaws contradict these assertions, stating, “Despite repeated concerns from Tesla engineers, Mr. Musk insisted that the vehicles have only sleek door handles which could only be operated electronically.”

The suit further details how an electrical failure in a frontal crash can disable the electronic door handles, leaving occupants trapped without a manual override in many Model Y vehicles. The complaint underscores that Tesla continues to manufacture and sell these defective vehicles, putting unsuspecting customers at risk.

Historical incidents cited in the lawsuit highlight a pattern of dangerous entrapments. In one case, a driver of a Tesla Model S in Indianapolis was found alive post-crash but was unable to escape and died from heat injuries. In another, a Florida man burned alive in his vehicle after a crash, while a nearby officer was unable to assist due to malfunctioning door handles.

The emotional toll of these incidents resonates deeply with Jacquelyn Tremblett, who is now on a mission to hold Tesla accountable. “They could have fixed it, but they refused. Now my son is dead after suffering unmercifully,” she stated, calling for public awareness about the dangers posed by Tesla vehicles in crashes.

As this lawsuit progresses, the implications for Tesla and its safety practices could be significant. The public awaits Tesla’s response to the allegations, as Jacquelyn seeks justice for her son and aims to protect future potential victims from similar fates.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, as the courtroom battle unfolds and raises critical questions about automotive safety in electric vehicles.