Judge Upholds $243 Million Verdict Against Tesla in Fatal Autopilot Crash

A federal judge has affirmed a major legal defeat for Tesla, ordering the company to pay $243 million in damages for a fatal 2019 Autopilot crash. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom rejected Tesla's request to throw out a jury verdict reached last August, stating the evidence supported the finding that the automaker shared responsibility for the incident.

The case stems from a tragic 2019 collision in Florida. George McGee, driving a Model S with Autopilot engaged, bent down to pick up his phone. The vehicle then veered into a parked SUV on the shoulder, striking Naibel Benavides Leon and Dillon Angulo. Benavides Leon died from her injuries; Angulo was seriously hurt.

In her Friday ruling, Judge Bloom noted Tesla introduced no new arguments to challenge the jury's 2025 decision, which included both compensatory and punitive damages for the victims. Tesla's legal team had previously argued the crash resulted from driver error, not a defect in the vehicle or its automated systems.

The company is expected to appeal the ruling to a higher court, though it has not yet issued a public statement. This civil judgment adds to Tesla's regulatory challenges, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration continues multiple investigations into its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems.