A federal judge upheld a jury's decision to impose a $243 million fine on Tesla related to a fatal 2019 accident involving the company's Autopilot system. The case centers around a collision that resulted in the death of a 22-year-old woman and serious injuries to her boyfriend, which occurred when the Tesla Model S, driven by George McGee, crossed an intersection and struck a parked vehicle while traveling at high speed. Judge Beth Bloom indicated that the evidence presented during the trial was more than sufficient to support the jury's August 2025 verdict. She noted that Tesla failed to provide compelling new arguments that would justify reversing the decision, further cementing the case's outcomes. This ruling marks a significant legal challenge for Tesla and its continued push towards fully autonomous driving technology. Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, has indicated that the company plans to appeal the decision. However, details on the next steps from Tesla's legal team have not yet been disclosed, with attempts to reach them for comments going unanswered. The instance raises critical questions regarding the safety regulations enforced on autonomous driving systems and the accountability of manufacturers in accidents involving such technologies.