U.S. Judge Upholds $243 Million Verdict Against Tesla in 2019 Autopilot Crash

Overview

• U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom in Miami rejected Tesla’s bid to overturn the August 2025 verdict, keeping the full $243 million judgment in place.
• The jury found Tesla 33% responsible and awarded $19.5 million to Naibel Benavides Leon’s estate, $23.1 million to Dillon Angulo, plus $200 million in punitive damages.
• The case stems from an April 25, 2019 crash in Key Largo, Florida, when a Model S traveling about 100 km/h struck an SUV on the shoulder, killing Benavides, 22, and severely injuring Angulo.
• Tesla maintains the driver, George McGee, was solely at fault and argues its vehicle was not defective, challenging the punitive damages under Florida law.
• Experts say the upheld verdict could spur additional lawsuits and raise settlement costs, complicating Tesla’s push to promote its driver-assist technology and robotaxi ambitions.