The family of a 20-year-old student, who reportedly died after being ‘trapped’ in a burning Tesla, has initiated legal action against Elon Musk’s automotive company.
Samuel Tremblett lost his life on October 29, 2025, following a tragic crash on the northbound side of Turnpike Street, located in the Massachusetts town of Easton.
Over three months after Samuel’s passing, his family has launched a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla, alleging that the automaker produced a ‘defective’ 2021 Model Y.
The legal complaint, filed in the US District Court in Massachusetts on Wednesday (February 4), asserts that Samuel’s death occurred when a collision resulted in the car catching fire, and the student was allegedly trapped inside.
“He sustained catastrophic thermal injuries, smoke inhalation, causing his death,” according to the complaint obtained by PEOPLE.
Samuel’s mother, Jacquelyn Tremblett, claims that her son survived the initial impact when the Model Y he was driving collided with a tree. The lawsuit further alleges that the vehicle ignited shortly after, and Samuel was unable to exit due to what they describe as a ‘defective and unreasonably dangerous electronic system for operating the door handles’.
The suit also references a 911 call allegedly made by Samuel post-crash, where he reportedly stated: “I can’t breathe .. it’s on fire. Help please … I am going to die,” the student allegedly said. “I’m dying … Help … Help.”
It is further claimed in the suit that police, upon arrival, could not extinguish the fire, which reportedly took four hours to control.
“Unable to open the doors, Mr. Tremblett was trapped in the Tesla vehicle and died from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation before he was rescued,” the suit states.
The lawsuit cites 15 instances where people allegedly died after being unable to open the vehicle’s doors, claiming: “Notwithstanding the advice of Tesla’s engineers that this design was a serious safety hazard. Mr. [Elon] Musk [Tesla founder] refused to approve a safe, alternative design.”
“Tesla continues to manufacture and sell its vehicles with the defective and unreasonably dangerous automated door handles,” the lawsuit continues.
In addition to the wrongful death claim, the family is also pursuing allegations of negligence, conscious pain, and suffering.
According to Forbes, a senior Tesla executive mentioned in September that the company is working on redesigning its door handles. Tesla updated its website in December to indicate that doors would automatically unlock for emergency access when a serious collision is detected, alongside the activation of hazard lights to increase visibility.
An obituary for Samuel from Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home described him as ‘full of life and energy’ and noted his kindness, loyalty, and genuine nature toward friends.
UNILAD has reached out to Tesla for comment.