Tesla Cybertruck's doors were fatal trap in deadly crash: Lawsuit

A fatal Tesla Cybertruck crash in Piedmont, California, on Thanksgiving Eve 2024, which killed three college students, has led to two new lawsuits against Tesla. The victims’ families allege that the Cybertruck’s electronic door release system failed after the crash, trapping the occupants inside the burning vehicle and causing their deaths by smoke inhalation and burns rather than impact injuries. The lawsuits claim that the vehicle’s power cut during the crash disabled the electronic door handles, and the concealed manual mechanical backups—especially in the rear—were too difficult to locate and operate in an emergency. This design flaw allegedly prevented escape and contributed directly to the fatalities. Tesla’s flush-mounted electronic door handles, designed for aerodynamic efficiency and a sleek exterior, have faced criticism for complexity and safety risks, as they vary by model and can confuse users. In the Cybertruck, the rear manual door release requires removing a rubber mat and accessing a hidden cable, a challenging task for injured or disoriented passengers. The National