Lawsuit ends over teens’ deaths in fiery Tesla crash

Until Monday, the family of Edgar Monserratt Martinez appeared ready to take Tesla and the family of one of his best friends to court over his death.

By the end of the day, according to court documents, that all changed. Jury selection started in the morning. In the late afternoon, it was called off. Tesla, manufacturer of the vehicle that burst into flames in May 2018 when Barrett Riley lost control on State Road A1A in Fort Lauderdale, was removed as a defendant. No further trial dates were scheduled.

Riley and Monserratt were friends preparing to graduate from the prestigious Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale at the time of their deaths. Riley’s family had already sued Tesla in an earlier legal action. Riley’s parents in March 2018 had Tesla mechanics activate a speed “limiter” that would have prevented the sedan from going more than 85 mph. But their son, according to testimony, had the limiter removed. The car was traveling at 116 mph when Riley lost control on a curve and slammed into a concrete wall on Seabreeze Boulevard.

The lawsuit ended in something of a victory for Tesla, which was held 1% responsible for Riley’s death. The company was ordered to pay Riley’s family $105,000.

Details on the deals that ended Monserratt’s trial this week were not available and not posted on the Clerk of Courts’ website. Late Monday, the case docket included a dismissal of the case against Tesla agreed to by both sides. No information was posted on the Monserratt family’s suit against the Riley family. Local 10 News reported Tuesday morning that case, too, had been settled.

Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457. Follow him on Twitter (X) @OlmedaNews.