– A Tesla Model Y lawsuit against the door claims that 20-year-old Samuel Tremblett died because the 2021 Model Y was defective.
At approximately 1 a.m. on October 29, 2025, Samuel Tremblett was driving a 2021 Tesla Model Y on Route 138 in Easton, Massachusetts, when the Model Y went out of control. The Tesla left its lane, crossed into the opposite lane, struck a tree and burst into flames.
Mr. Tremblett used the 911 emergency call system and told the dispatcher that the Model Y was on fire and he could not escape. According to the call, Mr. Tremblett told the dispatcher:
“I’m stuck in a car accident. …I can’t get out, please help me. …I can’t breathe. …It’s on fire, it’s on fire. Please help. …I’m dying. …I’m dying. Help…I’m dying…Help…Help.”
First responders were initially unable to remove Tremblett from the Model Y due to the fire. The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Tremblett died from thermal injuries and smoke inhalation.
According to the lawsuit, Tremblett was killed because of the “defective and unreasonably dangerous electronic system for operating the door handles.” A vehicle can lose electrical power in an accident, causing the electronic door handles to no longer function.
However, the Tesla Model Y 2021 is equipped with a manual interior door release, which is located on the door directly above the door switches.
You can use the location of the Model Y’s manual interior door release here.
The lawsuit does not allege that Mr. Tremblett attempted to use the manual door release, but the lawsuit says its “location and markings are not easily distinguishable.”
The lawsuit also does not state whether the front doors were able to open after the head-on collision. The forces involved in a frontal collision can deform the frame and jam the doors.
The plaintiff also complains that the Model Y was equipped with a lithium-ion battery system that is susceptible to “thermal runaway” when a rapidly growing fire spreads and is extremely difficult to extinguish.
According to the Model Y lawsuit:
“Tesla knew or should have known of the defective and unreasonably dangerous condition of the 2021 Model Y, including the vehicle driven by Samuel Tremblett.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has awarded the 2021 Tesla Model Y a 5-star safety rating, the highest possible. And the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has awarded the 2021 Tesla Model Y a Top Safety Pick+.
The lawsuit against the Tesla Model Y door handle has been filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Boston): Jacquelyn Tremblett, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Samuel Tremblett, v. Tesla, Inc.
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