US: Tesla sued after trapped driver burned alive
What's the story
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against Tesla in the United States, after a young driver died trapped inside a burning vehicle. The suit was filed by the mother of 20-year-old Syracuse University student Samuel Tremblett, who died following a crash involving his Tesla Model Y in Easton in 2025. Court documents reveal Tremblett made a frantic 911 call after the accident, saying he couldn't escape as flames and smoke filled the vehicle.
Incident overview
Vehicle crossed into southbound lane and hit tree
The crash occurred around 1:00am on October 29, 2025. Tremblett's vehicle crossed into the southbound lane of Route 138 and hit a tree. While he survived the initial impact, his car caught fire almost immediately after. The lawsuit alleges that Tesla's electronic door handles malfunctioned after the crash, preventing Tremblett from escaping. It claims that this design is defective and unreasonably dangerous during electrical failures caused by collisions or fires.
Rescue efforts
Tremblett's remains were later found in the back seat
Police arrived at the scene within minutes but were unable to rescue Tremblett due to the intensity of the fire. Officers reported hearing multiple explosions from the vehicle, and firefighters took hours to fully extinguish it. Tremblett's remains were later found in the back seat. The case cites at least 15 similar deaths since 2016 involving Tesla vehicles, where occupants were allegedly trapped after crashes. US safety regulators are now investigating nearly 200,000 Tesla vehicles over door handle safety concerns.
Safety measures
China announces nationwide ban on automated car door handles
Separately, China has announced a nationwide ban on automated car door handles over safety risks. Despite the ongoing investigations and international actions, Tesla has not publicly commented on this latest lawsuit. The case highlights serious concerns about the safety of flush electronic door handles that rely on power to function in emergencies.