Tesla Model 3 red
Soon, we'll see the Tesla Model Y drive out of dealerships too. Pictured: A Tesla car arrives at a service center after the company indicated it would be closing showrooms and in the future selling its cars online in Los Angeles, California on March 4, 2019. - Tesla is planning to unveil a new electric 'crossover' vehicle March 14 which is slightly bigger and more expensive than its most affordable model, according to chief executive Elon Musk. The news comes shortly after Tesla unveiled its lowest-priced Model 3, an electric car designed for the masses, at a base price of $35,000, with deliveries promised within one month. AFP/Getty Images/Mark Ralston

A Florida family on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Tesla (TSLA), saying that the vehicle's autopilot contributed to the death of their family member, Jeremy Beren Banner. The family is asking for compensation of more than $15,000 in damages.

Banner was driving a Tesla Model 3 at 68 mph on autopilot on March 1, when he collided with a tractor-trailer, killing him.

"My family is devastated due to the untimely and tragic death of a loving husband and father," a statement from the Banner family said, adding that those responsible for his death will be held accountable.

Trey Lytal, the family's attorney, said that the autopilot system in the Tesla should've either stopped or swerved away to avoid the tractor-trailer.

The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) said that Banner engaged the autopilot system in the vehicle 10 seconds before the collision, with the system not detecting his hands on the steering wheel from "less than eight seconds before the crash."

Tesla said that vehicle logs showed Banner took his hands completely off the wheel while engaging autopilot shortly before he died. Tesla usually tells vehicle owners that when autopilot is engaged, the driver should still keep their hands on the wheel.

The NTSB is still investigating the case and will issue safety recommendations on how to avoid a repeat incident.

Tesla started including autopilot in its vehicles in 2014.

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