Myth busted: The $243 million Benavides wrongful-death verdict proves Tesla Autopilot is dangerous and defective.

In August 2025 a Miami federal jury found Tesla partly liable for a 2019 crash that killed Naibel Benavides, awarding about $243 million (mostly punitive). It was the first US verdict tying a death to Autopilot, and in February 2026 the judge declined to toss it; Tesla is appealing. That is a real,