Tesla Model 3 rear-ends Ford, kills teenage passenger

What happened

Benjamin Maldonado, driving his Ford Explorer with his son Jovani as a passenger, attempted a lane change on the freeway. 

A Tesla Model 3, operated by Romeo Lagman Yalung and traveling around 70 mph on Autopilot, failed to slow down until a fraction of a second before impact, striking the Ford from behind. 

The crash caused the Ford to roll and hit a barrier, fatally ejecting Jovani, who was not wearing a seat belt. 

Why it happened

Neither the Autopilot system nor the Tesla driver reacted adequately to the changing traffic conditions; video and vehicle data revealed that the system did not slow until just before the crash despite clear visual cues. 

Analysis suggests Autopilot’s cameras or sensors may have been impaired or failed to detect the slowing vehicle, raising concerns about reliability, especially in complex environments or with adverse visibility conditions. 

Tesla blamed Yalung for the crash, saying he had been inattentive and driving at an unsafe speed.' 

However, a lawsuit brought by the Maldonado family against Tesla and Yalung accused Tesla of negligent product liability, motor vehicle negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and wrongful death. 

The two parties settled the case in September 2025 for an undiclosed sum of money.