Tesla suffers major court loss as judge upholds $243 million penalty in fatal crash

A federal judge rejected Tesla's attempt to overturn a $243 million jury verdict over a fatal Autopilot crash.

U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom in Miami upheld the August 2025 verdict finding Elon Musk's electric vehicle maker liable for the crash that killed 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and severely injured her boyfriend Dillon Angulo, finding the evidence “more than supported” the verdict, reported Elektrek.

"[The decision deals] a significant blow to the automaker’s legal strategy...