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Key Largo Today
By the People, for the People
Judge Upholds $243M Verdict Against Tesla in Fatal Autopilot Crash
The ruling marks the first federal jury verdict concerning a deadly accident involving Tesla's Autopilot feature.
Published on Mar. 1, 2026
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A federal judge has rejected Tesla's request to overturn a $243 million jury verdict over a 2019 crash in Key Largo, Florida, where an Autopilot-equipped Tesla Model S crashed into a parked SUV, killing a 22-year-old woman and severely injuring her boyfriend. Jurors found Tesla 33% responsible for the incident, which was the first federal jury verdict concerning a fatal accident involving the company's Autopilot technology.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing legal and safety concerns surrounding Tesla's Autopilot feature, which has been involved in multiple crashes resulting in injuries and fatalities. The verdict could set a precedent for future lawsuits against Tesla over its self-driving capabilities and the company's potential liability in such incidents.
The details
In the April 2019 incident, the driver of the Tesla Model S, George McGee, was traveling at around 62 mph when he crashed into the parked SUV, which was occupied by Naibel Benavides Leon and Dillon Angulo. Benavides Leon was killed, and Angulo was severely injured. Jurors found Tesla 33% responsible for the crash, awarding $19.5 million to Benavides' estate and $23.1 million to Angulo, plus $200 million in punitive damages.
- The incident occurred on April 25, 2019, in Key Largo, Florida.
- The jury verdict was reached in August 2025.
- The judge's decision to uphold the verdict was made public on February 20, 2026.
The players
Tesla
An American electric vehicle and clean energy company, led by CEO Elon Musk, that has faced numerous lawsuits over its Autopilot self-driving technology.
George McGee
The driver of the Tesla Model S involved in the fatal 2019 crash in Key Largo, Florida.
Naibel Benavides Leon
A 22-year-old woman who was killed in the 2019 crash in Key Largo, Florida.
Dillon Angulo
The boyfriend of Naibel Benavides Leon, who was severely injured in the 2019 crash in Key Largo, Florida.
Judge Beth Bloom
The U.S. District Judge in Miami who rejected Tesla's request to overturn the $243 million jury verdict.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)
What’s next
Tesla is expected to appeal the judge's decision to uphold the $243 million verdict.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing legal and safety concerns surrounding Tesla's Autopilot feature, and the potential for the company to be held liable for crashes involving its self-driving technology. The verdict could set a precedent for future lawsuits against Tesla and other automakers developing autonomous driving systems.
