In this episode, we unpack the stunning $243 million jury verdict against Tesla tied to a 2019 fatal crash in Key Largo. The case took a dramatic turn when a hacker—known online as @greentheonly—recovered key crash data inside a Miami Starbucks that Tesla claimed it couldn't find for years. That file became the centerpiece of a courtroom battle over Autopilot’s role in the death of Naibel Benavides Leon and the catastrophic injuries suffered by Dillon Angulo.
We explore how Tesla’s own systems automatically uploaded and then unlinked the data after the crash, and why the company said it didn’t intentionally suppress the evidence. You’ll hear how internal testimony revealed that someone at Tesla may have deleted the file from its servers and how a persistent legal team and one technical expert uncovered it anyway.
This episode also looks at the broader legal and financial fallout: pending lawsuits, investor backlash, and new questions about Tesla’s approach to data transparency and Autopilot safety. Plus, we break down what the annotated crash video revealed about the vehicle’s final moments—and why this case could shift how future Autopilot lawsuits are fought in court.
Topics Covered:
The 2019 crash and its aftermath
Tesla’s handling of Autopilot crash data
The hacker’s role in recovering the missing file
Legal strategy and courtroom evidence
Jury verdict and damages
Federal investigations into Autopilot
Investor lawsuits tied to Tesla’s autonomy claims
The road ahead for Tesla’s legal challenges
