Lawsuit Claims Tesla Had Defective Electric Doors After 20-Year-Old Samuel Tremblett Was Burned Alive Following Massachusetts Car Crash
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (March 1, 2026) – Tesla is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after a 20-year-old man tragically died in a Massachusetts car accident after becoming trapped in his vehicle.
The incident that sparked the lawsuit took place on October 29, 2025. Samuel Tremblett was traveling down the roadway in his Tesla Model Y when the vehicle lost control on Route 138 in Easton.
The Tesla collided with a tree and burst into flames. The young man called 911 and told dispatchers that he was stuck inside his vehicle as it was burning.
First responders were called to the accident scene to assist the victim. Tragically, he remained trapped inside his vehicle and died from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation.
His mother has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit. The lawsuit notes that 15 people have died since 2016 after becoming trapped inside their vehicle by the electronic doors.
The lawsuit states that the electric doors on Tesla vehicles are defective and dangerous. According to the lawsuit, many Tesla Model Y vehicles lack a manual external override mechanism that would allow someone to make an emergency exit.
Tesla has continued to maintain that it takes safety very seriously, but the company has not commented on the lawsuit.
Liability for Accidents Involving Defective Vehicles
Companies that manufacture vehicles and other consumer products have a legal obligation to ensure that they are reasonably safe. They must consider all ways their products could be used, and even misused. This is particularly important for vehicles. If a vehicle has a design defect likely to injure customers, it could form the basis of a product liability claim. There are several elements that must be demonstrated in a prima facie case of product liability.
- The defendant sold the product that the plaintiff used.
- The defendant was the commercial seller of that product.
- The plaintiff suffered an injury through their use of the product.
- The product was defective at the time it was sold to the defendant.
- The defect with the product was the actual and proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injury.
Product liability claims are typically treated as strict liability offenses. A defendant will typically be liable if a plaintiff is able to prove that the product is defective. This is true even if the defendant or manufacturer exercised great care to avoid harm. Courts will consider several factors when determining whether a company may be liable for a defective product. For example, a company may not be liable for a product if evidence shows that the product’s utility outweighs any inherent risk of harm.
Steps to Take After Accidents Involving Tesla Vehicles
Several actions should be taken after any accident involving a Tesla vehicle.
- Police Report: The police report created after any accident should be reviewed. These reports are far from exhaustive but can still be very useful.
- Autonomy: It should be determined if the Tesla involved in the crash was using any type of autonomous features.
- Medical Records: Any medical records related to the collision should be reviewed. These records can help paint a clear picture of how an accident took place.
- Legal Review: Any person injured in a car accident with a Tesla should carefully consider legal options with a team experienced in product liability law and negligence claims.
It can be difficult to know where to begin after being injured in an accident involving a Tesla. These collisions have routinely left drivers and innocent bystanders with very serious and life-altering injuries. Unfortunately, Tesla will virtually never admit fault when someone is injured in a collision involving one of its vehicles. This is why it’s so important that these incidents are investigated by an outside party. Any person injured in an accident with a Tesla may be able to pursue some measure of accountability through a civil action.
Investigating Accidents and Tesla Vehicle Defects
Tesla has faced a number of lawsuits over the years over alleged defects with its vehicles, particularly its autonomous and semi-autonomous driving systems. According to PBS, “NHTSA said it ultimately found 467 crashes involving Autopilot resulting in 54 injuries and 14 deaths. Autopilot is a fancy version of cruise control, while “Full Self-Driving” has been billed by Musk as capable of driving without human intervention.”
We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to all of the families who have lost loved ones in accidents involving Tesla vehicles. It is our sincere hope that Tesla will take measures to address known safety concerns with their vehicles. People need to be able to exit their vehicles quickly and safely in the event of a fire.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in an accident involving a Tesla vehicle? You may be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys is here to help. We are committed to ensuring that accident victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance after a crash, we may be able to support you. You can reach us anytime at (617) 870-0907.