Lawsuit against Tesla reveals harrowing 911 call as driver trapped in burning car

"Immediately after the crash, the car burst into flames. As described in a lawsuit filed Wednesday by his mother, Jacquelyn, against Tesla in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Tremblett, 20, survived the crash but was unable to exit the vehicle because the electric door handles were inoperable. In a harrowing 911 call - a transcript of which was included in the complaint - Tremblett said, "I'm stuck in a car crash," and, "I can't get out, please help me." He continued, "I can't breathe. ... It's on fire ... I'm going to die.""

"Although first responders arrived quickly, the police report noted that they were unable to extinguish the fire or remove Tremblett from the car due to the severity of the blaze. The report says that police officers heard four explosions during the first 10 minutes they were at the crash scene. Firefighters spent four hours putting out the fire. First responders found Tremblett's remains in the back seat of the car."

"Tesla began equipping its vehicles with sleek, electric door handles that are flush with the door in 2014. The handles extend when a driver approaches a car with the key. The electric door handles do not extend in the event of an electrical system failure, such as in a crash, the suit says. The interior door handles are also electronic. While the car has manual door releases, the suit says,"

Samuel Tremblett, 20, lost control of a 2021 Tesla Model Y on Oct. 29 and collided with a tree off Route 138 in Easton. The vehicle burst into flames immediately after the crash. Tremblett survived the impact but could not exit because the electric exterior and interior door handles were inoperable, and he reported being trapped and unable to breathe in a 911 call. First responders were unable to extinguish the blaze or remove Tremblett; officers heard four explosions and firefighters spent four hours putting out the fire. First responders later found Tremblett's remains in the back seat. A wrongful-death suit alleges the handle failures prevented his escape and caused his death.

Read at Boston.com