Tesla is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after a Texas man died when a Cybertruck caught fire following a crash in August 2024. This marks the first known legal action involving the Cybertruck, raising serious questions about the vehicle’s design and post-crash safety mechanisms.
Family Sues Tesla and Local Bar Over Fatal Blaze
The family of 34-year-old Michael Sheehan filed the suit in Harris County on 13 June 2025, claiming that Tesla was negligent in both the design and manufacturing of the electric vehicle. According to court documents, Sheehan was driving a Tesla Cybertruck in Baytown, Texas, on 5 August 2024, when the vehicle veered off-road, hit a culvert, and burst into flames.
The lawsuit also targets a Mont Belvieu bar, alleging that the establishment overserved alcohol to an already-intoxicated Sheehan, violating Texas dram shop laws.
While the lawsuit does not deny Sheehan’s impairment, it argues that the crash was survivable and that the Cybertruck’s design flaws directly led to his death. The filing claims the vehicle is “defectively designed”, particularly pointing to doors that cannot be opened once the power system fails, trapping occupants during emergencies.
Similar Incident in California Raises Red Flags
Sheehan’s death is not the only case involving a Cybertruck fire. In a separate incident in California, three college students died when their Cybertruck crashed and caught fire. A fourth passenger was rescued by a bystander who managed to pull them out in time.
Krysta Tsukahara, one of the victims in the California crash, was reportedly seated in the rear passenger seat, where the door failed to open, making her escape impossible. Her family has since filed a separate lawsuit, citing vehicle malfunction.
“She was trying desperately to get out,” said family attorney Roger Dreyer. “What went wrong with that vehicle that prevented her from being able to exit it?”
Safety Concerns Mount Despite 5-Star Crash Rating
Tesla’s Cybertruck, launched in November 2023 after much anticipation, has drawn both hype and criticism. While fans praised its futuristic and rugged aesthetic, safety experts raised early concerns about its angular body and untested crash dynamics.
Despite a five-star overall safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in February 2025, data compiled earlier this year suggests that the Cybertruck has a higher fatal fire rate in its first year than the infamous Ford Pinto, which was known for deadly fires during its production run in the 1970s.
In addition to the fatalities, Tesla has also issued multiple recalls for the Cybertruck, including one involving a faulty acceleration pedal and another linked to an exterior panel detachment hazard.
Legal Battle Ahead
As of now, a trial date for Michael Sheehan’s case has not been scheduled, but his family is seeking monetary compensation exceeding US$1 million (approx. S$1.35 million).
With the Cybertruck still in its early years on the road, these lawsuits could set critical precedents for product liability involving electric vehicles. Tesla has yet to comment publicly on either lawsuit.
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