SAN JOSE -- The surviving children of a couple killed while riding in a Tesla have filed suit against the company for wrongful death.
Becky Edwards and Tamara Neuhaus, successor-in-interest to the Estate of Dave Brown and the Estate of Shelia Brown, filed a complaint on May 12 in the Superior Court of the State of California County of Santa Clara against Tesla for negligence/wrongful death, strict liability, negligence (post-sale) and survival action.
According to the complaint, on August, 12, 2020, David and Sheila Brown, at approximately 11:20 a.m., were in an automobile accident while riding in a Tesla. David Brown "believed the Tesla Model technology was such that the autopilot features included designed-in programs, software, hardware, and systems that would significantly minimize the risk of harm or injury to the vehicle driver."
Plaintiffs allege due to the advertising of Tesla, David and Shelia Brown placed the car on autopilot unknowing the vehicle lacked the properly designed system for crash avoidance. While the vehicle was on autopilot, the vehicle did crash, causing both passengers to die.
Becky Edwards and Tamara Neuhaus seek special damages, general damages, prejudgment interest, cost of suit and other damages awarded by the court. They are represented by Khaldoun A. Baghdadi, Doris Cheng and Andrew P. McDevitt.