Tesla autopilot thrust Las Vegas driver, passenger into oncoming traffic, lawsuit says

Two Las Vegas residents are suing Tesla after an alleged autopilot malfunction thrust them into oncoming traffic.

Plaintiffs Simen Ghassan Shamoun and Steven Shamoun are suing Tesla and demanding a jury trial claiming the autopilot system made the vehicle turn into oncoming traffic. The lawsuit was filed in the Clark County District Court on Friday.

The two are suing for strict product liability, including design defense and failure to warn, as well as negligence, negligent misrepresentation and breach of warranty of merchant liability.

Tesla couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

Lawsuit details

On April 3, 2024, Simen Ghassan Shamoun was driving his 2024 Tesla Model Y sedan with Steven Shamoun as the passenger, according to the lawsuit, northbound on Spencer Street.

While driving, the automated steering system made an “unexpected and unwarranted wide right turn” into westbound traffic on Richmar Avenue, the lawsuit alleges. They collided with another vehicle, causing “significant personal injuries” to the two men.

Simen Ghassan Shamoun incurred over $13,000 in medical expenses and Steven Shamoun over $10,000, according to the lawsuit.

“This unintended maneuver was not caused by any identifiable hazard, lawful traffic control device, or driver input,” said the lawsuit. “(The maneuver) was inconsistent with the safe operation of the Autopilot system.”

According to the lawsuit, a preliminary inspection and expert review, the maneuver was caused by a malfunction of the autopilot systems steering control software or its related sensors “which failed to properly interpret the roadway geometry.”

The two are asking for damage to property; special damages, general damages in excess of $15,000; special damages; interest; costs of suit; reasonable attorney’s fees; and such other relief as the court deems just and proper.

Contact Emerson Drewes at edrewes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @EmersonDrewes on X.