Sole Cybertruck Crash Survivor Sues Tesla Over Fatal Incident

Lawsuit alleges Tesla's electronic door system trapped victims in burning vehicle after 2024 crash.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 4:22pm

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Jordan Miller has filed a lawsuit against Tesla, alleging that the Cybertruck's electronic door system prevented him and three friends from escaping a burning vehicle after a 2024 crash in Piedmont, California that killed the driver and two passengers. The complaint claims the Cybertruck's lack of exterior mechanical door handles and reliance on electronic buttons that failed after the crash trapped the occupants inside as the vehicle caught fire.

Why it matters

This case raises serious safety concerns about Tesla's Cybertruck design and the potential risks of electronic door systems in vehicles. It comes as China has announced plans to ban hidden door handles on cars starting in 2027 due to similar safety issues following fatal electric vehicle accidents.

The details

According to the lawsuit, the Cybertruck caught fire almost instantly after the crash, with flames reaching up to 10 feet high. A friend following in another vehicle arrived within seconds but could not open the doors, as the Cybertruck lacks exterior mechanical door handles and instead relies on electronic buttons that failed after the impact. The friend was able to break the front window and pull Miller from the vehicle, but could not reach the other three passengers, who died in the fire.

  • The crash occurred on November 27, 2024 just after 3 a.m.
  • The lawsuit was filed on March 16, 2026

The players

Jordan Miller

The sole survivor of the Cybertruck crash, who sustained third-degree burns, four fractured vertebrae, and burns to his airways and lungs.

Soren Dixon

The 19-year-old driver of the Cybertruck who died in the crash. Autopsy reports showed he had a blood alcohol level of 0.195% and cocaine in his system at the time.

Jack Nelson

A 20-year-old passenger in the Cybertruck who died in the crash.

Krysta Tsukahara

A 19-year-old passenger in the Cybertruck who died in the crash.

Tesla

The electric vehicle manufacturer being sued over the Cybertruck's design.

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What’s next

The judge will decide whether to allow the lawsuit against Tesla to proceed.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the potential safety risks of electronic door systems in vehicles and the need for robust safety standards to protect occupants in the event of a crash. It also raises questions about Tesla's commitment to vehicle safety and its duty to warn customers about design flaws that could have fatal consequences.