Judge Rules Tesla Knew of Autopilot Dangers Before 2019 Fatal Crash, But Did Nothing

The judge in a lawsuit over a fatal crash involving Tesla's Autopilot driving assist has ruled that there is "reasonable evidence" that Tesla's leadership knowingly allowed lethal misuse of its driving technology. Now, Reuters reports the suit has been cleared to head to trial, where the victim's surviving family will present their case to a jury.

The suit stems from a crash that occurred in 2019 outside Miami, Florida. Stephen Banner was driving his Tesla Model 3 with Autopilot active when a semi truck pulled out across the road. Banner's Tesla, set to travel at 69 mph, detected neither Banner's hands on its steering wheel nor the presence of the stationary trailer in its path, according to The Washington Post. The car traveled under the trailer, ripping off its roof and killing Banner.

Banner's wife filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Palm Beach County, which Judge Reid Scott ruled last week could proceed to trial. Judge Scott reportedly cited a video published by Tesla in 2016 wherein the company claimed "the car is driving itself," but didn't give "any indication that the video is aspirational or that this technology doesn't currently exist in the market." Tesla employees later revealed the demonstration was staged.