Overview: Alemzewd Lawgalet, 59, says a Tesla Model Y set to 'Insane' acceleration mode lurched forward during a test drive and crashed into a salon on Sept. 21, 2024, leaving her with serious injuries. She was allegedly told the EV "operated the same as a gas vehicle" and was not briefed on regenerative braking or acceleration modes. The vehicle caught fire and the building was evacuated. Lawgalet is seeking more than $10 million in damages, alleging Tesla's negligence and recklessness.
Lawsuit Says Tesla Model Y Was Left in 'Insane' Mode — Test Driver Crashes Into Salon, Seeks $10M+
Out-of-control Tesla slammed into building after acceleration set to ‘Insane’ mode for test drive, lawsuit says
A federal employee is suing Tesla for more than $10 million after she says a Model Y test drive suddenly accelerated and crashed into a hair salon when the car was allegedly left in its highest acceleration setting, known as 'Insane' mode.
What the Complaint Alleges
The plaintiff, 59-year-old Alemzewd Lawgalet, a database developer at the Federal Reserve Board, filed the suit in Alexandria federal court. According to the complaint, she had never driven an electric vehicle before and was told by showroom staff that the Model Y "operated the same as a gas vehicle." She says she was sent out alone on a September 21, 2024 test drive in Arlington, Virginia, without any warning that the vehicle was set to a high-performance acceleration setting.
Alemzewd Lawgalet was improperly assured by Tesla sales staff that the electric car she was about to drive for a test 'operated the same as a gas vehicle,' according to a federal lawsuit (Getty Images)
The complaint asserts the car was in 'Insane' mode — a setting Tesla describes as delivering the "maximum level of acceleration immediately available" — which can get a Model Y from 0 to 60 mph in about 3.3 seconds. Lawgalet says that after merging onto I-395 at roughly 55 mph, she lifted off the accelerator and felt the car suddenly slow, not having been told about regenerative braking. Alarmed, she exited and stopped at a red light near the Pentagon. When the light turned green, the vehicle allegedly "lurched forward" with far greater force than her input and crashed into the Posh Salon.
The Model Y reportedly caught fire on impact, forcing evacuation of the building. Lawgalet was taken to hospital with serious injuries that her complaint describes as permanent, and she is seeking at least $10 million in compensatory damages plus $350,000 in punitive damages for negligence, recklessness, and willful disregard for safety.
The Tesla showroom in Arlington, Virginia, where Lawgalet's test drive began, according to court filings (Google Maps)
Claims and Defenses
The complaint says dealership staff improperly assured Lawgalet that the EV drove like a gasoline vehicle and failed to explain key differences such as regenerative braking and multiple acceleration modes. It also notes that activating 'Insane' mode is not something a driver typically does by accident because it requires navigating specific touchscreen menus.
Tesla filed an answer in state court before the case was removed to federal court, asserting that Lawgalet failed to take reasonable care and did not mitigate her alleged damages. A Tesla spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment for this article.
Context
Tesla and its Autopilot and vehicle-safety features have been the subject of numerous lawsuits and investigations in recent years, including disputes over driver-assist capabilities and vehicle design. This suit adds allegations about sales practices and driver preparation for test drives.
"The sudden acceleration caused [Lawgalet] to lose control of the vehicle and to crash into a nearby storefront," the complaint states.
The case remains pending; the complaint was filed on July 22 in Alexandria federal court after an initial state-court filing. Lawgalet seeks damages for medical costs, ongoing pain and suffering, lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life.
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