PIEDMONT, CA — The parents of Krysta Tsukahara, a 19-year-old college student, have filed a lawsuit against Tesla after their daughter’s tragic death in a Cybertruck accident that ended in flames. According to the complaint, a design flaw made it nearly impossible for her to open the door and escape.
The crash happened when the driver, allegedly under the influence of alcohol and drugs, lost control and struck a tree in Piedmont. Three of the four occupants, including the driver, died at the scene. Only one passenger survived after a witness broke a window to pull them out.
Family attorneys argue that Tsukahara initially survived the impact but was fatally trapped because the Cybertruck’s door release system depends on electronic mechanisms, which are prone to fail in crashes and fires. The emergency manual lever, they state, was concealed and required removing a panel, locating a hidden cord, and pulling it—a process far too complicated in an emergency.
This lawsuit against Tesla comes at a sensitive time for the automaker, which is already under federal investigation for complaints about stuck doors across multiple models. Safety analysts emphasize that Tesla’s lack of intuitive, easy-to-access emergency systems endangers passengers, especially those who have no prior training on manual releases.
The lawsuit is part of a growing list of cases raising concerns about Tesla’s safety standards. In August, a Florida jury awarded more than $240 million to the family of another college student killed in a Tesla-related crash.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is also reviewing reports from drivers who stated they were unable to open the rear doors to rescue children, forcing them to break windows to get them out.
The Piedmont case could set a new precedent in ongoing debates about the design, safety, and accountability of Tesla vehicles.
