A seriously injured California woman has filed a lawsuit against Tesla, the driver of a Tesla Model Y, and the organizers of a nearby Cars Coffee gathering. The legal action, brought in San Mateo County Superior Court, alleges that the vehicle, operated by a company representative, exceeded 80 mph on a road with a posted limit of 35–40 mph before striking Michelle Brooks’s Honda CR-V on August 30, 2026. Brooks suffered severe injuries, including fractured vertebrae, ribs, limbs, and a traumatic brain injury, requiring hospitalization at Stanford Hospital.
The collision occurred near La Honda along State Route 84, where 21-year-old Micah Zuglian took two event photographers for a drive to demonstrate the vehicle’s performance. Photographs from the drive show the Model Y’s speedometer recording 83 mph before dropping to 61 mph near a 35-mph sign. According to the lawsuit, Zuglian crossed double-yellow lines before the impact. The area has a history of racing, with authorities reporting more than 20 deaths and nearly 800 injuries from crashes over the past five years.
Local authorities, including the California Highway Patrol and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, had previously met with event organizers and urged them to cancel the gathering due to safety concerns. The lawsuit contends that Tesla acted negligently by allowing Zuglian to operate the vehicle without adequate supervision, while the organizers proceeded despite warnings. Brooks’s legal team is seeking compensation and has requested a jury trial. The suit also names Ethan Garabedian, who operates the event under the name “9burgring”, and Ambassador Wine Bars LLC, which provided the venue.
No court ruling has been issued, and the claims remain unproven. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the filing of a lawsuit does not establish liability on the part of Tesla, Zuglian, or the event organizers.
