First Fatal Tesla Cybertruck Crash Sparks Lawsuit

Michael Sheehan, a 47-year-old Texas nurse, died after becoming trapped in his Tesla Cybertruck, which caught fire and reached temperatures of up to 5,000°F, causing his bones to disintegrate. This marks the first known fatal Cybertruck crash, and Sheehan’s family has filed a lawsuit alleging that defective design, including failed electronic and manual door releases, prevented his escape after the battery entered thermal runaway. The family asserts that most other vehicles would have allowed his survival, and experts have raised similar concerns about emergency escape mechanisms in other Tesla models. The Cybertruck has faced at least eight recalls for safety and quality issues since its 2023 launch, and the lawsuit claims Tesla prioritized aesthetics over safety and did not provide adequate emergency instructions. Tesla, which advertises the Cybertruck as exceptionally safe, has not responded to requests for comment. Authorities are investigating the crash as part of broader concerns over EV battery fires and occupant escape.