Brett Schreiber, Partner at Singleton Schreiber in San Diego and Wailuku, was recently featured in a Law360 article, "Tesla Faces Trial Over Fatal Autopilot Crash in Florida," published on July 11, 2025. The article discusses Mr. Schreiber's wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla, which is set to go to trial Monday in Miami federal court, focusing on the company's liability and safety concerns related to its Autopilot system.
The lawsuit stems from a 2019 incident where a Tesla Model S, with its Autopilot allegedly engaged, slammed into a stationary Chevrolet at a Key Largo intersection, tragically killing Naibel Benavides Leon and injuring her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo.
Law360 reports that U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom recently ruled there was enough evidence for the plaintiffs to pursue punitive damages. Judge Bloom found that Tesla knew about the dangers associated with its Autopilot system before the crash but did not fix them, citing evidence from the National Transportation Safety Board recommending Tesla "incorporate system safeguards" limiting Autopilot use.
Mr. Schreiber's case proceeds amidst ongoing NHTSA investigations into Autopilot’s safety and a December 2023 recall of over 2 million Tesla vehicles to address driver engagement issues.
The article also notes that the trial will not be bifurcated, meaning the punitive damages case will be heard during the same three-week trial on liability. Judge Bloom has emphasized that the courtroom proceedings will remain public, despite Tesla's suggestions to seal parts of the testimony or exhibits.
The case is Benavides v. Tesla Inc., case number 1:21-cv-21940, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
