Tesla suffers major court loss as judge upholds $243 million penalty in fatal crash

[riversedge]

Source: raw story


Travis Gettys February 20, 2026 11:19AM ET


A federal judge rejected Tesla's attempt to overturn a $243 million jury verdict over a fatal Autopilot crash.

U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom in Miami upheld the August 2025 verdict finding Elon Musk's electric vehicle maker liable for the crash that killed 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and severely injured her boyfriend Dillon Angulo, finding the evidence “more than supported” the verdict, reported Elektrek.

"[The decision deals] a significant blow to the automaker’s legal strategy as it faces a growing wave of lawsuits tied to its driver-assistance technology," the website reported. "The ruling, made public on Friday, means Tesla’s last hope to avoid paying the massive judgment at the trial court level has been exhausted."............................

Read more: https://www.rawstory.com/tesla-2675288731/

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I think Trump bought a Telsa on this day--or it was was gifted by Musk.

Tesla suffers major court loss as judge upholds 3 million penalty in fatal crash

www.rawstory.com/tesla-267528...

— (@oceancalm.bsky.social) 2026-02-21T02:09:53.744Z

U.S. President Donald Trump talks to the media, next to Tesla CEO Elon Musk with his son X Æ A-12, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 11, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

[aggiesal]

1. I'm sure Mierda47 bought a Tesla, but I'll bet he didn't pay for it. He no doubt stiffed Tesla. n/t

[NBachers]

2. How about similar verdicts for everyone who was locked into a Tesla on fire and couldn't get out and burned to death?

[Marie Marie]

3. Chump change for Elon - maybe not so much for Tesla. I hear that those cars have become

very unpopular.

[riversedge]

4. too bad.

NOT.

[moniss]

5. The important language of the story is

"at the trial level". Tesla can still go through further appeals of what the District Court decision said. I'm fairly certain they might be able to still ask for reductions of the amount. The big companies can keep this stuff going a very, very long time.