Science and IT

Tesla​ Sued Following Fatal Cybertruck ​Incident

Los ​Angeles, CA – Tesla is facing a wrongful death lawsuit from ⁤the parents of 19-year-old Kysta Kystuhara,⁢ who died⁤ following a November 2023 incident involving a Cybertruck. ​The lawsuit alleges a defective door mechanism prevented their daughter from escaping the vehicle ⁤after it caught fire, contributing to her death from burns and smoke inhalation.

According to a claim filed by ​the family and reported⁤ by The New York ⁢Times, the Cybertruck lacked a functional, accessible, and⁣ visible manual ‌door opening system, as well as a backup emergency⁢ exit. The family asserts that had⁣ a readily available⁢ escape route existed, Kystuhara ​”would⁣ be alive today.”

The lawsuit details that Kystuhara, a passenger in the vehicle,​ “suffered unimaginable pain‍ and⁣ emotional suffering ​before she​ died.” Investigators found the manual release for​ the rear door concealed ‍under a rubber mat within ⁢the door storage area. ‍The vehicle’s battery may have been compromised in the accident.

this incident adds to growing ‌scrutiny of​ Tesla’s vehicle​ safety features. ⁣last month, the national Highway‍ Traffic Safety Governance (NHTSA) launched an inquiry into Tesla’s ⁢Model ‌Y, prompted ‌by complaints including reports of parents‍ being unable to remove children from the back seat. In August, Tesla ​was ordered to pay a substantial sum‍ to plaintiffs in a ​case where the ‍company’s Autopilot system was blamed for‍ a fatal crash.

The parents of Kystuhara also filed a separate lawsuit earlier this year against the family of the Cybertruck’s driver, who also died ‌in ⁣the accident. Tesla has not yet responded ‌to requests for comment from the‌ Associated Press regarding this latest lawsuit.

European Police Forces Navigate Electric ‌Vehicle Transition​ with Pragmatic Approaches

Hanover, Germany – While calls for a full transition to electric vehicles gain momentum, European police forces are adopting a more nuanced approach, prioritizing ​practicality and operational needs over a complete⁣ overhaul.⁤ Rather than promptly electrifying frontline patrol cars, agencies are integrating EVs for auxiliary functions and ‌employing⁢ hybrid solutions to ​balance environmental concerns with the demands of law enforcement.

Lower Saxony police in Germany recently completed one of Europe’s largest electric vehicle purchases, acquiring ‌215 Volkswagen ID.3 cars. However, these vehicles aren’t equipped as traditional patrol cars with emergency⁤ lights and sirens. Instead, ⁤they are designated​ for⁤ non-urgent tasks within criminal police units and⁢ administrative duties. This strategy reflects a⁤ growing recognition that ​current EV technology may not yet fully meet ⁣the rigorous requirements of high-speed pursuits or ⁤extended patrol shifts.

Spain’s National Police ‍are investing in a large fleet⁢ of plug-in hybrid vehicles, aiming‍ to ⁢utilize electric ​power for city patrols – reducing​ pollution and noise⁤ – while retaining the​ range and power ⁣of⁤ an internal combustion engine for operations‌ requiring greater mobility. France is implementing a dual-system approach: the national gendarmerie, responsible for highways and rural areas, ​relies⁤ on powerful hybrid vehicles, while the national and⁣ municipal police in urban⁢ centers are testing and deploying smaller, fully electric cars. These varied strategies demonstrate a pragmatic response to‌ the evolving⁤ landscape of electric⁣ vehicle technology and the unique challenges​ faced by ⁤law enforcement agencies across Europe.