LI man blames Tesla design for fire that left him with ‘catastrophic’ burns
A Long Island man, Jay Kharbanda, suffered catastrophic burns when his 2024 Tesla Model 3 caught fire after colliding with a car and crashing into a pole. He alleges the vehicle's high-voltage lithium-ion battery had a defective design that led to a thermal runaway and intense fire. Kharbanda, who endured multiple surgeries and lost toes, is suing Tesla for damages, claiming the car's safety features failed.
- ▪Jay Kharbanda was driving a 2024 Tesla Model 3 that burst into flames after a collision and crash into a pole.
- ▪The fire caused third- and fourth-degree burns, amputation of toes, and required multiple surgeries and hyperbaric treatments.
- ▪Kharbanda's lawsuit claims the Tesla's design led to a thermal runaway and malfunctioning doors prevented escape.
- ▪At least 15 people have allegedly died in Tesla fires since 2012 due to electronic door malfunctions, according to Bloomberg.
- ▪Tesla has not responded to requests for comment on the incident or the lawsuit.
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US News LI man blames Tesla design for fire that left him with ‘catastrophic’ burns By Dennis Clark and Kathianne Boniello Published May 16, 2026, 8:16 a.m. ET A Long Island man blames his Tesla’s “defective design” and high-voltage lithium ion battery for the horrific burns he suffered when the car burst into flames after an accident. Jay Kharbanda was driving home to Dix Hills after a visit with his mom when he collided with a car making a turn in front of him, sending his 2024 Tesla Model 3 into a pole, according to court papers and video of the crash. “I blacked out,” said the 20-year-old Stony Brook University biochemistry major. “I just remember getting hit, and that’s it.” 3 The 2024 Tesla Model 3 was involved in a collision, then crashed into a pole and burst into flames.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
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