‘I Cannot Get Out’: Lawsuit Says Tesla Driver Died Trapped In Burning Car After Door Handle Failure

Last Updated:February 07, 2026, 16:04 IST

Samuel Tremblett’s mother sues Tesla after he died trapped in a burning Model Y in Easton, alleging defective electronic door handles.

A wrongful death lawsuit filed in the United States alleges that a young Tesla driver begged emergency services to save his life after becoming trapped inside a burning vehicle, according to court documents cited by the New York Post.

The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday by the mother of Samuel Tremblett, a 20-year-old Syracuse University student who died following a crash involving a Tesla Model Y in Easton last year.

According to the complaint, Tremblett made a desperate 911 call moments after the accident, telling the operator that he was unable to escape the vehicle as flames spread and smoke filled the cabin. “I am stuck in a car crash. I cannot get out. Please help me. I am going to die," he said, as quoted in the lawsuit.

The crash occurred around 1 am on October 29, 2025, when Tremblett’s vehicle crossed into the southbound lane of Route 138 and struck a tree. While he survived the initial impact, the car reportedly caught fire almost immediately.

The lawsuit alleges that Tesla’s electronic door handles malfunctioned following the crash, preventing Tremblett from exiting the vehicle. It claims the door handle design is defective and unreasonably dangerous, particularly during electrical failures triggered by collisions and fires.

Police arrived at the scene within minutes but were unable to reach Tremblett due to the intensity of the blaze. Officers reported hearing multiple explosions from the vehicle, and firefighters took several hours to fully extinguish the fire. Tremblett’s remains were later found in the back seat, according to the filing.

Tesla vehicles are equipped with flush, electronically operated door handles that require power to function. While a manual release mechanism is available, the lawsuit argues that it is not clearly marked or intuitive enough to be used in emergency situations.

The case references at least 15 similar fatalities since 2016 involving Tesla vehicles where occupants were allegedly trapped after crashes. US safety regulators are currently investigating nearly 200,000 Tesla vehicles over concerns related to door handle safety.

Separately, China has announced a nationwide ban on automated car door handles, citing potential safety risks. Tesla has not publicly commented on the latest lawsuit.

News world ‘I Cannot Get Out’: Lawsuit Says Tesla Driver Died Trapped In Burning Car After Door Handle Failure

Read More