The family of 20-year-old Samuel Tremblett has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla following his death in a fiery crash in Easton, Massachusetts. Tremblett became trapped in his 2021 Model Y due to alleged defects in the door handles, leading to fatal thermal injuries. The suit claims negligence and highlights prior safety concerns ignored by the company.
On October 29, 2025, at around 1 a.m., Samuel Tremblett was driving a 2021 Tesla Model Y on the northbound lane of Turnpike Street in Easton, Massachusetts, when the vehicle left its lane, crossed into the southbound traffic, and collided with a tree. The car then burst into flames, trapping Tremblett inside due to what the lawsuit describes as a "defective and unreasonably dangerous electronic system for opening the door handles."
Tremblett survived the initial impact but was unable to escape. In a desperate 911 call, he pleaded, “I’m struck in a car crash....I can’t get out....please help me....I can’t breathe.....it’s on fire, it’s on fire. Help please....I’m going to die....I’m dying.....I’m dying....Help....I’m dying....Help.....Help.” Easton police arrived quickly but could not suppress the fire or extricate him, with four explosions reported in the first ten minutes. It took approximately four hours to extinguish the blaze, but Tremblett died from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation before rescue.
Filed on February 4, 2026, in the US District Court in Massachusetts by his mother, Jacquelyn Tremblett, the lawsuit accuses Tesla of wrongful death, negligence, breach of warranty, and conscious pain and suffering. It alleges at least 15 prior incidents of deaths due to similar door issues and claims Tesla founder Elon Musk refused engineers' advice for a safer design despite known hazards. Tesla continues to produce vehicles with these automated door handles.
In response to safety concerns, a top Tesla executive noted in September 2025 that the company was redesigning the handles. Tesla updated its website in December 2025 to state that in serious collisions, doors will automatically unlock for emergency access.
Samuel Tremblett, a student described in his obituary as full of life, energy, and kindness, was entering Easton from Raynham at the time of the crash.
