Family of California couple sue Tesla over parents' crash death claiming tech ... trends now

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The family of an elderly couple who died when their Tesla plowed into a parked truck in Florida are suing the carmaker alleging the vehicle was 'defective' and 'malfunctioned'.

Mary Lou Seelandt, 66, and Karl Seelandt, 67, from Lompoc in California, died on July 6, 2022 after visiting relatives in Georgia to celebrate their granddaughter's first birthday. 

Mary Lou was behind the wheel of the couple's 2015 Tesla Model S when she left the southbound Interstate 75 shortly before 2pm to enter the Paynes Prairie Rest Area.

As the exit split into two lanes, one for cars and another for larger vehicles, the Tesla entered the truck lot and careered into the back of a parked Walmart semi.

A shocking photo released by Florida Highway Patrol shows the front of the Tesla was totally crushed by the collision, with the car trapped beneath the truck's rear end.