A 20-year-old student, Samuel Tremblett, allegedly died in October 2023 after a crash in his Tesla Model Y in Easton, Massachusetts. The lawsuit claims the car's electronic door handles failed after the impact, preventing him from escaping as the vehicle caught fire. Tremblett's last words to 911 dispatchers, reportedly stating "I'm going to die," underscore the gravity of the situation. This incident adds to a series of concerns regarding Tesla's door mechanism and safety.
Circumstances of the Incident
On the night of October 21, 2023, Samuel Tremblett was reportedly driving alone on Turnpike Street in Easton, Massachusetts. A crash occurred, and the Tesla Model Y subsequently erupted into flames. According to the complaint filed by his mother, Jacquelyn Tremblett, Samuel was trapped inside the burning vehicle. Emergency services received a distressed call from Tremblett, during which he expressed his inability to exit the car and his fear of imminent death due to the fire and smoke.
The central claim is that the vehicle's electronic door handles, dependent on a low-voltage electrical system, failed post-crash, thus preventing the driver's escape.
Legal Action and Allegations
Jacquelyn Tremblett, Samuel's mother, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla in federal court in Massachusetts. The lawsuit asserts that the Tesla Model Y had a design flaw related to its electronic door handles, which are activated by a low-voltage electrical system. It is alleged that this system failed after the crash, leading to Samuel's entrapment. The complaint seeks a jury trial.
"The lawsuit asserts that the Tesla Model Y's electronic door handles, which rely on a low-voltage electrical system, failed after the crash, leaving Samuel unable to exit."
Historical Context and Broader Concerns
This lawsuit is not an isolated event. Reports indicate a pattern of similar incidents and legal challenges involving Tesla vehicles and their door mechanisms.
A Bloomberg report from last year identified 15 deaths allegedly linked to Tesla's electronic door systems.
In California, parents of two college students filed lawsuits alleging their children were trapped in a burning Tesla due to a design flaw.
There are also reports of a Model Y car fire in Toronto, Canada, where four individuals of Indian origin reportedly died after their electric doors failed to open post-crash.
In China, a nationwide ban on automated car door handles has been implemented, citing safety risks.
US safety regulators are reportedly investigating nearly 200,000 Tesla vehicles for door handle safety concerns.
Separately, the gearshift design of a Tesla was under scrutiny following the death of Angela Chao.
These preceding incidents, along with the current lawsuit, collectively raise significant questions about the reliability and safety of Tesla's door mechanisms under critical circumstances.
Tesla's Response
At the time of reporting, Tesla had not immediately responded with a public statement regarding the lawsuit filed by Jacquelyn Tremblett. The company has not admitted liability in this particular case, though the increasing number of lawsuits suggests a growing legal challenge.
"Tesla did not immediately respond with a statement.""Tesla has not admitted liability in this lawsuit, the number of cases it now faces is far larger than any single model or component."
Key Evidence and Claims
911 Call Transcript: The lawsuit details the distressing 911 call made by Samuel Tremblett, in which he stated, "It's on fire. Help please… I am going to die… I’m dying. I’m stuck in a car crash… I can’t get out, please help me… I can’t breathe… It’s on fire, it’s on fire."
Electronic Door Handle Failure: The core allegation is the failure of the electronic door handles following the crash, preventing egress.
Previous Incidents: The lawsuit reportedly lists numerous other reports of individuals being trapped in burning Tesla vehicles.
Manual Release Discrepancy: It is noted that not all Model Y vehicles are equipped with manual releases for rear doors, a detail potentially relevant to the design flaw assertion.
The verbatim account from the 911 call, coupled with the allegations of system failure and corroborating past incidents, forms the evidentiary basis of the lawsuit.
Safety Mechanisms and Design
The lawsuit posits that the reliance on an electronic system for door operation in the Tesla Model Y presents a safety risk, especially in scenarios involving a crash and subsequent fire.
Electronic vs. Manual Systems
Electronic System: The Model Y, like many modern vehicles, utilizes electronic door handles that require electrical power to function. If the vehicle's power supply is compromised, as might happen in a severe crash, these handles can become inoperable.
Manual Release: Traditional vehicles often have mechanical levers or buttons for manual door release. The mention that not all Model Ys have rear manual releases highlights a potential design variation that could impact occupant safety.
The Impact of Crash Damage
The failure of electronic systems in a crash can be attributed to several factors:
Power Interruption: Severe impact can sever electrical connections or damage the battery.
Component Damage: The crash itself can physically break or dislodge the electronic door handle mechanism.
The safety of occupants in electric vehicles hinges on redundant or robust emergency egress systems, especially when conventional power sources are compromised.
Victim's Background
Samuel Tremblett was a 20-year-old college student with interests in fashion design, modeling, and operating a clothing line. His personal background, as detailed in the lawsuit, highlights the human cost of the alleged defect.
The case brings to light the tragic loss of a young life, emphasizing the critical need for vehicle safety systems to perform under duress.
Expert Insights and Regulatory Scrutiny
While specific expert analysis on this particular case is pending court proceedings, the broader context involves ongoing regulatory attention to vehicle safety features.
US Safety Regulators: Investigations into Tesla door handle safety are underway, examining a significant number of vehicles.
International Precedent: China's ban on automated car door handles suggests a global recognition of potential risks associated with such technologies.
The involvement of regulatory bodies and international actions indicates that concerns about vehicle door safety, particularly electronic systems, are not limited to individual lawsuits but are a matter of broader public and governmental interest.
Conclusion and Implications
The lawsuit filed by Jacquelyn Tremblett against Tesla over the death of her son, Samuel Tremblett, brings critical attention to the safety of electronic door handles in the Tesla Model Y. The allegations of the system's failure to operate after a crash, leading to entrapment in a fire, are severe.
Legal Scrutiny: Tesla faces mounting legal challenges related to its door mechanisms, with this case adding to a list of similar claims.
Safety Standards: The incident underscores the debate around the reliability of electronic safety features versus mechanical alternatives, especially in emergency situations.
Consumer Trust: The cumulative effect of such incidents and lawsuits could impact consumer confidence in the safety of Tesla vehicles.
Future Investigations: The ongoing regulatory investigations in the US and actions taken in other countries suggest that this issue may lead to further scrutiny and potential mandates regarding vehicle door safety standards.
The ultimate outcome of this lawsuit, alongside related legal and regulatory actions, will likely shape future discussions on automotive safety design and the responsibilities of manufacturers in ensuring occupant protection under all foreseeable circumstances.
Sources:
IBTimes: https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/tesla-model-y-lawsuit-20-year-old-student-dies-burning-car-doors-fail-told-911-im-going-die-1777215
Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15539057/student-died-tesla-crash-family-lawsuit.html
Gizmodo: https://gizmodo.com/lawsuit-details-horrifying-911-call-before-tesla-driver-died-while-trapped-inside-car-2000718671
Boston Herald: https://www.bostonherald.com/2026/02/06/massachusetts-mother-sues-tesla-after-her-son-was-burned-alive-in-car-im-going-to-die/
Mashable: https://mashable.com/article/tesla-driver-911-call-transcript-on-fire
AP News: https://apnews.com/article/tesla-crash-doors-musk-regulators-accident-burning-trapped-2a710dbbb859436090e0a4cb8a7c8f4c (Published Oct 3, 2025 - Note: The provided date in the input data for this article was Oct 3, 2025, which is in the future. The content reflects reported events as of its publication date.)
LatestLY: https://www.latestly.com/us/please-help-me-i-am-going-to-die-us-family-sues-tesla-after-young-driver-dies-trapped-in-burning-car-7305144.html