Families claim Tesla door handles trapped teenagers in a burning Cybertruck (3 photos)

Tesla Lawsuits

Tesla is facing its second lawsuit in a week over a fatal Cybertruck crash in California. The parents of the teenagers who died allege that the company ignored safety flaws that trapped the victims in the burning vehicle. The lawsuits allege that a hidden door opening mechanism made it impossible to escape during the post-crash fire.

NHTSA Investigation and Details of the Crash

Tesla is under increased scrutiny after another disturbing incident involving its vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating complaints from owners that the electric door handles can malfunction, making it difficult to get in or out of the vehicle. Tesla is now suing the parents of two teenagers who died in a Cybertruck crash last November. The lawsuits allege that safety issues with the pickup truck’s electric door handles prevented the teens from escaping.

The fatal crash occurred in the early morning hours of November 27 in Piedmont, California. Four teenagers were in the Tesla when it hit a concrete wall and became stuck between it and a large tree. Moments later, the vehicle burst into flames, killing three of the four occupants, all of whom were 2023 graduates of Piedmont High School.

Legal Battle Expands

Carl and Noelle Tsukahara, parents of 18-year-old Krista Tsukahara, recently added Tesla to a previously filed lawsuit, originally filed against the estate of 19-year-old driver Soren Dixon and the car’s owner. The parents of 20-year-old Jack Nelson, another crash victim, have also filed a separate lawsuit against the company.

Door Power Issues

According to the lawsuits, the Cybertruck’s door handles are powered by a 12-volt battery, and if the vehicle loses power after a crash, the electronic door mechanism will fail. The electric vehicle has mechanical door releases in the front and rear, but they can be difficult to find. This is especially true in the second row, where the mechanical cable is hidden under a rubber mat at the bottom of the door sill.



Tragedy and Testimony

The lawsuit by the Tsukahars alleges that their daughter survived the impact and was conscious. However, she was unable to extricate herself from the second row of the Tesla and died from smoke inhalation and burns. It alleges that Tesla has long known about the safety issues with its electric door handles.

These are not new concepts or ideas, and they are something that vehicle designers should consider. They could have been prevented if the death of a vehicle occupant who otherwise could have exited the vehicle if the door had been working, or had been rescued, had occurred.

Both lawsuits seek unspecified punitive damages from Tesla. The Tsukahari family attorney believes he has a very strong case against the electric car manufacturer.

They will want to blame Mr. Dixon, anyone but himself, but this car absolutely should not have buried these people and my clients’ daughter. This is our way of holding those responsible accountable and correcting the mistreatment.



These events highlight broader challenges in the automotive industry related to integrating advanced technology without compromising safety. Electric door systems, while convenient, can pose critical risks in emergency situations, especially when traditional access mechanisms become unavailable. The Cybertruck incident could prompt a reassessment of regulatory requirements for emergency access in modern vehicles, affecting future designs and safety standards.