Door Handles Blamed For Driver's Death In Tesla Model S Fire

A wrongful death lawsuit filed with the Circuit Court of Broward County, Florida earlier this month alleges the motorized retractable door handles on the Tesla Model S prevented the rescue of the driver as smoke and flames filled the cabin.

Omar Awan, a 48-year-old anesthesiologist, was driving his leased Tesla in February when he lost control on a south Florida parkway and the car slammed into a palm tree, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed in state court in Broward County.

A police officer couldn’t open the doors because the handles were retracted and bystanders watched helplessly as the car filled with smoke and flames, according to the complaint, which alleges the fire originated with the car’s battery. read more »