Key Takeaways
- Tesla faces wrongful death lawsuit over Wisconsin Model S crash that killed five people
- Victims allegedly trapped by electronic door failures during vehicle fire
- Lawsuit claims Tesla knew about door safety risks from previous incidents
- Second major lawsuit involving Tesla door failures in recent months
Tesla Sued Over Fatal Wisconsin Crash
Tesla has been sued by the family of five people killed in a fiery Wisconsin crash, with the lawsuit alleging faulty door design trapped the victims inside the burning Model S sedan.
The tragic incident occurred on November 1, 2024, when a Tesla Model S went off the road and struck a tree in Verona, Wisconsin. All five occupants died, including Jeffrey Bauer, 54, and Michelle Bauer, 55, of Crandon, Wisconsin, who succumbed to their injuries the following day.
Design Flaw Allegations
According to the complaint filed by four of the Bauers’ children, the electronic door systems failed because the Model S’s lithium-ion battery pack was damaged in the crash. The lawsuit claims Tesla was aware of this potential danger from earlier fires but made a “conscious departure from known, feasible safety practices.”
Tesla, led by CEO Elon Musk, has not yet responded to requests for comment on the allegations.
Similar Safety Concerns
This marks the second major lawsuit involving Tesla door failures in recent months. The automaker also faces legal action from families of two college students killed in a Cybertruck crash last November in a San Francisco suburb, where victims were allegedly locked inside the burning vehicle due to door handle design issues.
Federal Investigation Underway
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration disclosed a probe in September into possible defects on some Tesla doors, following reports that door handles could fail during emergencies.
The Bauer family’s complaint highlights particular vulnerability for rear seat passengers like Michelle Bauer, who would need to lift carpeting to find a hidden metal tab for escape—a process described as “not intuitive” during emergency situations.
Disturbing 911 Call
A nearby homeowner told 911 operators she heard screaming from within the Bauers’ vehicle during the incident, according to court documents.
“Tesla’s design choices created a highly foreseeable risk: that occupants who survived a crash would remain trapped inside a burning vehicle,” the complaint states.
Legal Proceedings
Other defendants in the case include the estate of the car’s driver, whom the Bauer children accused of negligent driving. The lawsuit was filed in Dane County state court as Bauer et al v Tesla et al, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Dane County, No. 2025CV003601.
