Houston-Area Family Sues Tesla Over Fatal Cybertruck Fire
A Houston-area family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla, claiming design flaws in the company’s new Cybertruck contributed to the tragic death of 48-year-old Michael Sheehan, who perished in a fiery crash in August 2024.
The Incident
The lawsuit, filed on June 13 in Harris County, alleges that Sheehan was driving his Tesla Cybertruck near Beach City, roughly 30 miles east of Houston, when the vehicle veered off the road and flipped into a ditch. According to the complaint, while the crash itself may have been survivable, Sheehan was trapped inside the vehicle when its lithium-ion battery pack ignited, ultimately killing him in the ensuing fire.
Allegations Against Tesla
The suit accuses Tesla of negligence in the design and safety features of the Cybertruck, particularly pointing to its battery system and the door mechanisms that allegedly failed after the vehicle lost power. Sheehan’s family claims he could not open the doors from inside and that the vehicle’s emergency handles were too difficult to locate in a high-stress, life-threatening situation.
Attorneys for the family argue that:
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The battery system was prone to catching fire upon impact.
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Doors could not be opened manually after power was lost.
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Exterior handles were ineffective post-crash.
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Emergency interior door mechanisms were poorly placed and hard to find.
The lawsuit underscores growing concerns about the accessibility of safety exits in electric vehicles when battery systems fail.
Additional Defendants
The suit also names a Mont Belvieu bar where Sheehan had reportedly been drinking before the crash. The family alleges that the establishment served him alcohol to the point of intoxication, contributing to the accident.
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Tesla Yet to Respond
As of publication, Tesla has not issued a public response to the lawsuit and did not respond to inquiries from news outlets seeking comment.
Broader Context
This marks one of the first legal actions involving a fatal crash in a Tesla Cybertruck, a high-profile and controversial vehicle introduced to much fanfare. However, it’s not Tesla’s only legal battle. The company is currently defending itself in multiple lawsuits involving its Autopilot technology, some of which center around fatal incidents.
In a separate but related case earlier this year, three teenagers were killed in California when their Cybertruck crashed and caught fire. In that incident, the victim’s family filed suit against the driver and vehicle owner, but not against Tesla itself.
Looking Ahead
The Sheehan family’s lawsuit could set a precedent as concerns mount about the safety of new electric vehicles, particularly those involving complex door mechanisms and fire-prone battery systems. With the Cybertruck’s unconventional design now under legal scrutiny, experts expect the case to attract national attention and potentially influence safety regulations for next-generation EVs.
