Tesla Settles Florida Wrongful Death Suit Over 116 mph Model S Crash
Tesla settled a Florida wrongful death suit over a 2018 Model S crash that killed a teen passenger after the 18-year-old driver lost control at 116 mph on a 25 mph curve. Plaintiffs alleged a technician disabled the 85 mph speed limiter; Tesla denied wrongdoing and kept terms undisclosed.
1. Settlement Details
On April 20, 2026, Tesla and the plaintiff in a Florida wrongful death suit reached a settlement that removed Tesla as a defendant, leaving only the driver’s estate in court. Both sides agreed not to disclose the financial or other terms of the resolution.
2. Crash Circumstances
The lawsuit stemmed from a 2018 crash of a 2014 Model S in Fort Lauderdale that killed a teenage passenger and driver after the 18-year-old operator lost control at 116 mph on a curve with a 25 mph limit. Plaintiffs claimed a technician had disabled the built-in 85 mph speed limiter.
3. Legal Implications
This case adds to Tesla’s legal exposures, following a 2021 fatal crash settlement and a $243 million jury verdict over an Autopilot-equipped Model S crash in 2019. Tesla continues to challenge past verdicts on appeal while denying any wrongdoing.