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Key Largo Today
By the People, for the People
Judge Upholds $243 Million Verdict Against Tesla in Fatal Crash
Tesla's motion for a new trial denied in Key Largo accident that killed 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon.
Published on Feb. 22, 2026
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A Florida judge has denied Tesla's motion for a new trial, upholding a $243 million jury verdict against the automaker in a 2019 fatal crash in Key Largo. The crash occurred when a speeding Tesla Model S driver, George McGee, ran a stop sign and struck a parked Chevrolet Tahoe, which then hit and killed 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and seriously injured her boyfriend Dillon Angulo. The jury found Tesla 33% responsible for the crash, citing issues with the Autopilot system and inadequate warnings in the owner's manual.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing legal battles over autonomous driving technology and the liability automakers face when their vehicles are involved in crashes, even when the driver is found to be primarily at fault. The substantial punitive damages awarded indicate the jury's view that Tesla acted with reckless disregard for public safety.
The details
The judge rejected Tesla's arguments that the $243 million verdict was excessive and not supported by the evidence. She ruled that the warnings in the Tesla owner's manual about the limitations of Autopilot were inadequate, and that the driver may have over-relied on the system. Tesla argued the crash was solely due to the driver's reckless behavior in looking down to find his dropped phone, but the judge disagreed, stating that Tesla should have done more to prevent such misuse of the Autopilot technology.
- The Key Largo crash occurred in April 2019.
- The lawsuit was originally filed in April 2021.
- The judge denied Tesla's motion for a new trial on February 22, 2026.
The players
Naibel Benavides Leon
A 22-year-old woman who was killed in the crash.
Dillon Angulo
Naibel Benavides Leon's boyfriend, who was seriously injured in the crash.
George McGee
The Tesla Model S driver who ran the stop sign and caused the crash.
Tesla, Inc.
The automaker found 33% responsible for the crash by the jury.
Judge Bloom
The federal judge who denied Tesla's motion for a new trial.
What they’re saying
“Oh my God, I wasn't looking, I don't know what happened. I ended up missing the turn. I was looking down, I dropped my phone. Oh my God.”
— George McGee, Tesla Model S Driver (Police Report)
“The signs were visible if he had looked up and that, had he been watching the road, [he would have] had a clear and unobstructed view of the 'T' intersection for a 'long distance'—at least 1,000 feet.”
— George McGee, Tesla Model S Driver (Police Report)
“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”
— Gordon Edgar, Grocery Employee (Instagram)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow George McGee out on bail pending any appeals.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing legal challenges around autonomous driving technology, as well as the high stakes for automakers when their vehicles are involved in fatal crashes. It underscores the need for clearer warnings and safeguards to prevent drivers from over-relying on systems like Autopilot, even when the primary fault lies with the human behind the wheel.
