Tesla rejected $60M settlement before losing $243M in deadly Autopilot crash case

Core Viewpoint - Tesla rejected a $60 million settlement proposal in a lawsuit related to a 2019 fatal crash involving its Autopilot-equipped Model S, resulting in a jury awarding $243 million in damages to the plaintiffs [1][4]. Legal Proceedings - The trial centered on an April 2019 crash where a Model S with Autopilot struck a parked Chevrolet Tahoe, leading to the death of Naibel Benavides Leon and serious injury to her boyfriend Dillon Angulo [3][4]. - Jurors awarded $129 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages, with Tesla held liable for 33% of the compensatory damages, amounting to $42.6 million, and all punitive damages [4][7]. Company Response - Tesla has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the verdict undermines automotive safety and jeopardizes efforts to develop life-saving technology, and has announced plans to appeal the decision [6][9]. - The lawsuit is noted as the first trial involving the wrongful death of a third party due to Autopilot technology [6]. Context of Similar Cases - Tesla has faced multiple lawsuits regarding its self-driving capabilities, but most have been resolved or dismissed before reaching trial [8].