The grieving family of a college student who died in a burning Tesla launched a wrongful death lawsuit against the electric car giant.
Samuel Tremblett, 20, allegedly died in October in Easton, Massachusetts, after crashing his car and becoming trapped inside as it burst into flames.
His mother Jacquelyn filed a civil lawsuit Wednesday in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
According to the suit, Samuel was able to call 911 and relayed his panic while explaining that he was ‘stuck in a car crash.’
‘I can’t get out, please help me,’ he said. ‘I can’t breathe.’
Tremblett allegedly continued pleading for help, as he acknowledged that he was ‘dying.’
It took about four hours to put out the fire and at least four explosions were reported by law enforcement, court documents said.
Tremblett could not exit his 2021 Model Y vehicle and suffered ‘catastrophic thermal injuries, smoke inhalation injuries causing his death,’ per the complaint.
Samuel Tremblett, 20, died in October after crashing his Tesla car and allegedly becoming trapped inside as it exploded
Tremblett was unable to get out of his his 2021 Model Y and died from ‘catastrophic thermal injuries and ‘smoke inhalation injuries,’ per the complaint (Photo of a Tesla model Y)
According to his mother’s lawsuit, Tremblett was driving the Tesla alone on the Northbound lane of Turnpike Street around 1am last October 21.
After entering Easton from the nearby town of Raynham, Tremblett’s car ‘left its lane of travel, crossed the southbound lane, and collided with a tree.’
Tremblett survived the crash, but his car immediately erupted into flames. He was unable to exit when that happened.
‘As a result of the defective and unreasonably dangerous electronic system for operating the door handles, which was designed, manufactured and sold by Tesla, Samuel Tremblett was unable to exit the vehicle,’ the complaint read.
Tremblett called an emergency dispatcher shortly afterwards, but it was too late.
The Easton Police Department could not extinguish the fire due to its ‘severity,’ per the suit.
A police report attached to the complaint said the Tesla was not ‘fully extinguished and minimally smoking’ until 4.30am.
The wrongful death claim alleged that Tesla’s ‘electric door handles do not extend in the event of an electrical system failure, for instance, during a crash.’
Tremblett allegedly called 911 and pleaded with an emergency dispatcher to save him while saying that he was ‘dying’
Tremblett’s mother Jacquelyn filed a civil lawsuit Wednesday in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts claiming that Tesla’s door handles trapped her son inside the car
Tremblett’s family accused the company of making ‘numerous public statements misrepresenting the company’s emphasis on safety in order to induce the public to believe that its vehicles were safe and reliable.’
The complaint cited what Tesla CEO Elon Musk said during an earnings call for the first quarter of 2025.
‘We here at Tesla, we’re absolutely hardcore about safety,’ Musk was quoted as saying, per the complaint. ‘You know, we go to great lengths to make the safest car in the world and have the lowest accidents per mile.’
Tremblett’s mother also claimed that Musk ‘refused to approve a safe, alternative design’ after being warned by engineers that electric doors were a ‘serious safety hazard.’
The suit listed seventeen other reports from 2016 to 2025 of Tesla passengers becoming trapped in their cars after crashing them.
Tremblett’s mother Jacquelyn has requested a jury trial, according to her complaint. She is hoping for actual damages, treble damages, interest and costs.
‘How could Tesla keep selling vehicles that they know trap people inside their cars after a crash?’ Jacquelyn told People.
‘They could have fixed it, but they refused. Now my son is dead after suffering unmercifully. The people who did this must face consequences and the public needs to know how dangerous Tesla vehicles are in a crash.’
Tremblett was driving the Tesla alone in Easton, Massachusetts, around 1am when he crashed into a tree and the vehicle burst into flames
A public obituary for Tremblett remembered him as being a ‘creative and driven young man’ who was ‘full of life and energy.’
He was a student at Syracuse University, majoring in design studies.
‘Samuel cared deeply for his friends and was known for his kind heart, loyalty, and genuine nature,’ the obit read.
He is survived by his mother Jacquelyn, father David and brother Tristan.
Tremblett’s life was remembered as ‘far too short’ but ‘filled with creativity, love, and light.’
‘His family and friends will remember his bright smile, adventurous spirit, and the warmth he brought to every moment,’ the obituary noted.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Tesla and Andrew Nebenzahl, the attorney representing Samuel Tremblett’s estate and Jacquelyn Tremblett, for comment.
