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Piedmont Today
By the People, for the People
Sole Cybertruck crash survivor sues Tesla over door design
Jordan Miller alleges Tesla's electronic door handles and hard-to-find emergency release contributed to the deadliness of the 2024 crash.
Mar. 18, 2026 at 5:03am
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Jordan Miller, the sole survivor of a fiery 2024 Cybertruck crash in Piedmont, California, has filed a lawsuit against Tesla. The suit alleges that the vehicle's electronic door handles and a hard-to-find emergency release contributed to the deadliness of the crash, which killed the driver and two other passengers.
Why it matters
This lawsuit is the latest in a series of legal actions against Tesla over safety concerns with its vehicles. It highlights ongoing questions about the design and safety features of electric vehicles, especially in high-speed collisions and emergency situations.
The details
Miller suffered "catastrophic" injuries in the crash, including being put into a five-day induced coma, burns to his airways and lungs, four fractured vertebrae requiring spinal fusion, and third-degree burns. The lawsuit alleges Tesla has known about the risk of trapping occupants "for over a decade" and brings claims for negligence, design defect, failure to warn, and failure to recall.
- The crash occurred in 2024.
- Miller filed the lawsuit against Tesla this week in Alameda County Superior Court.
The players
Jordan Miller
The sole survivor of the 2024 Cybertruck crash in Piedmont, California.
Krysta Tsukahara
A 19-year-old who was killed in the 2024 Cybertruck crash.
Jack Nelson
A 20-year-old who was killed in the 2024 Cybertruck crash.
Soren Dixon
The 20-year-old driver of the Cybertruck who was killed in the 2024 crash.
Charles Patterson
The owner of the Cybertruck involved in the 2024 crash and a relative of Soren Dixon.
What they’re saying
“When you design a vehicle with no mechanical way to open the doors from the outside, you are betting the electronics will work in every scenario, including a high-speed crash followed by a fire.”
— Anthony L. Label, Miller's attorney
What’s next
The judge will need to decide whether to allow the lawsuit against Tesla to proceed.
The takeaway
This case highlights ongoing safety concerns with electric vehicles, especially around emergency egress features, and the legal battles Tesla continues to face over the design and performance of its cars.
