TERRIFYING

Runaway Tesla Nearly Mowed Down Bystanders in NYC, Driver Says

The man claims in a lawsuit that his vehicle took off from a standstill and wouldn’t stop until he intentionally crashed it.

A New York City man is suing Elon Musk’s Tesla Inc., claiming his electric vehicle “suddenly and automatically” took off from a standstill—after which the brakes allegedly failed—and wouldn’t come to a halt until he intentionally crashed it into an empty parking space. In a lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court, Akm Shamsuzzaman says Tesla is liable for his resultant injuries, arguing the car was “negligently and dangerously designed.” Daniel Shimko, Shamsuzzaman’s lawyer, told The Daily Beast on Thursday that his client said the runaway automobile “almost hit a few people” before Shamsuzzaman was able to steer away. Shamsuzzaman, who Shimko said was not badly hurt in the accident, is asking for an undetermined sum, plus costs and fees. Tesla Inc. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.