A Texas family is suing Tesla after a tragic crash left a man trapped inside his $100,000 Cybertruck, which burst into flames.
According to a news report on the incident by Chron, the wrongful death lawsuit says the truck’s high-tech design actually prevented the driver from escaping — and now the automaker is facing serious legal heat.
The case, filed June 13 this year in Harris County, is believed to be the first lawsuit against Tesla involving a Cybertruck. The suit claims Michael Sheehan, 41, died after his Cybertruck crashed in Baytown, Texas, on August 5, 2024. According to the lawsuit, Sheehan’s truck hit a culvert, then caught fire — and he couldn’t get out.
His family says Tesla’s design is to blame. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that the Cybertruck is defectively designed because its doors can’t be opened once the vehicle loses power. The suit also accuses Tesla of failing to warn drivers or provide instructions on how to escape in an emergency.
“The crash forces were survivable,” the lawsuit states. “But Michael couldn’t escape because the doors wouldn’t open after the power shut off.”
The lawsuit also targets a bar in Mont Belvieu, which allegedly served Sheehan alcohol when he was already intoxicated, violating Texas dram shop laws.
The Cybertruck, Tesla’s futuristic electric pickup, made waves when it launched in November 2023, thanks to its sharp, sci-fi design and die-hard fan base. But safety experts have raised red flags, especially after multiple fire-related crashes.
In California, three college students were killed in another Cybertruck fire. A fourth person survived only because a witness pulled them from the burning vehicle. The family of Krysta Tsukahara, one of the victims, is also suing the driver’s estate and the truck’s owner.
While Tesla fans love the Cybertruck, its fire fatality rate is raising concerns. One recent analysis found the rate in its first year is higher than the infamous Ford Pinto, which became a symbol of unsafe car design in the 1970s.
Ironically, the Cybertruck received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) earlier this year. Still, the vehicle has already been recalled for faulty pedals and panels.
Michael Sheehan’s family is seeking over $1 million in damages. A trial date has not been set.
