Well-known Tesla firmware hacker and data miner @greentheonly played a crucial role in a recent groundbreaking case against Tesla, where critical crash data was uncovered that the company had initially denied having. This discovery proved to be a game-changer in court, leading to a staggering $243 million verdict against the automaker over a tragic 2019 fatal crash in Key Largo, Florida.
The incident involved a Tesla Model S with Autopilot engaged, colliding with a young couple standing near their parked truck. Tragically, 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon lost her life, while her boyfriend Dillon Angulo sustained severe injuries. Despite Tesla’s claim that it did not possess the crucial electronic “collision snapshot” capturing the car’s perspective before impact, @greentheonly’s findings proved otherwise.
After years of unsuccessful attempts to obtain the data directly from Tesla, the plaintiffs’ lawyers turned to the hacker in 2024. Working tirelessly from a Starbucks near Miami International Airport, @greentheonly successfully extracted the data from the vehicle’s Autopilot control unit. This revelation confirmed that Tesla had indeed received the crash snapshot moments after the incident, debunking the company’s initial stance.
The extracted data shed light on the fact that the vehicle had detected the pedestrians and charted a course directly through them, raising serious concerns about Autopilot’s functionality. Following a brief deliberation, the jury held Tesla 33% liable, awarding $129 million in compensatory damages and a staggering $200 million in punitive damages. Tesla is now on the hook for $42.6 million in compensatory damages along with the entire punitive sum, totaling $243 million. The company has expressed intent to appeal the verdict.
Tesla reportedly made efforts to settle the case discreetly before trial, offering the plaintiffs a confidential resolution. However, court documents revealed that the company turned down a $60 million settlement proposal prior to the trial’s conclusion, leading to the significantly higher $243 million judgment.
This verdict represents one of the most significant legal setbacks for Tesla concerning Autopilot. It emphasizes the critical role crash data can play in such lawsuits and sets a precedent for how juries scrutinize Tesla’s handling of evidence. As other Autopilot-related cases progress towards trial, @greentheonly’s involvement in this case underscores the importance of transparency regarding Tesla’s advanced technology.
In conclusion, the collaboration between legal experts and tech-savvy individuals like @greentheonly highlights the evolving landscape of automotive technology and the accountability that comes with it. The verdict against Tesla serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of overlooking crucial data in the pursuit of innovation.