Core Points - A civil trial is set to begin regarding a fatal crash involving a Tesla Model S, where the driver was using the Autopilot feature at the time of the incident [2][10] - The lawsuit claims that Tesla's Autopilot system is defective and unsafe, alleging that the company exaggerated its capabilities while downplaying its deficiencies [9][11] - The judge overseeing the case has allowed claims of design defect and failure to warn against Tesla to proceed, while dismissing claims of manufacturing defect and negligent misrepresentation [10][12] Group 1: Incident Details - The crash occurred in 2019, resulting in the death of Naibel Benavides Leon and serious injuries to Dillon Angulo [1][2] - The Tesla driver, George McGee, stated he was distracted by his phone when the crash happened, impacting the parked Chevrolet Tahoe at approximately 60 miles per hour [2][3] Group 2: Legal Proceedings - The trial is expected to last about three weeks, with Tesla's safety features under scrutiny [3] - The plaintiffs have the potential to seek punitive damages if the jury finds Tesla liable [10][11] - The judge indicated that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that a defect in the Autopilot system was a significant factor in the injuries sustained [11] Group 3: Tesla's Defense - Tesla's legal team argues that the driver was solely responsible for the crash, emphasizing that Autopilot is intended for use by attentive drivers [12][13] - The company maintains that while Autopilot can assist in driving, it does not make the vehicle autonomous and requires driver oversight [12][13] Group 4: Broader Context - Tesla has faced multiple lawsuits regarding its Autopilot software and has been under increased regulatory scrutiny [14] - In previous cases, Tesla has successfully defended itself against claims of liability related to Autopilot, arguing that human error was the primary cause of accidents [15][16]