WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.— Max Dryerman, whose parents David and Michele and sister Brooke died in a Garden State Parkway crash last fall, has filed a federal lawsuit against Tesla, alleging the company’s driver-assistance technology failed in a catastrophic way.
The complaint, filed June 23 in U.S. District Court in Camden, claims the 2024 Tesla Model S driven by David Dryerman was equipped with Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) features that should have prevented the vehicle from veering off the highway and colliding with a concrete bridge support.
According to New Jersey State Police, the crash occurred late on the night of Sept. 14, 2024, near milepost 131.1 in Woodbridge. The Tesla, traveling northbound, left the roadway, struck a sign, hit a guardrail, and then slammed into a bridge abutment. All three occupants—David and Michele Dryerman, both 54, and their 17-year-old daughter Brooke—were wearing seat belts and were pronounced dead at the scene.
(See “Shock, grief, as three members of Woodcliff Lake family killed in car crash.”)
Max Dryerman, an engineering student at Drexel University and the family’s surviving son, filed the lawsuit as executor of his relatives’ estates. The 28-page complaint alleges that Tesla’s driver-assistance system was defective and “unreasonably dangerous,” failing to detect a stationary object and apply emergency braking.
“Despite the vehicle camera system [detecting] an approaching stationary obstacle,” the complaint states, “the vehicle continued—without braking or reduction in acceleration or engine torque—into the stationary obstacle.”
The suit further alleges that Tesla misrepresented the capabilities of its Autopilot and FSD technologies, citing a 2016 remark by CEO Elon Musk in which he said Autopilot was “probably better” than a human driver. The plaintiffs contend that Tesla promoted these systems as able to handle emergency scenarios without adequate warnings about their limitations.
“Thousands of Tesla drivers have relied on Tesla’s [technology] as though it were capable of safe, fully autonomous self-driving… when in fact it is incapable of safely handling a variety of routine roadway scenarios without driver input,” the complaint alleges.
Tesla has not commented publicly on the lawsuit, Dryerman et al. v. Tesla Inc., which seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages and requests a jury trial.
The case comes amid broader federal scrutiny of Tesla’s driver-assistance systems. In December 2023, under pressure from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Tesla recalled more than 2 million vehicles in the U.S. to implement safety updates intended to reduce misuse of Autopilot. The agency continues to investigate fatal crashes involving Tesla vehicles where the systems were reportedly engaged.
Community in Mourning
The Dryerman family’s deaths sent shockwaves through the Woodcliff Lake and Pascack Hills communities last fall, prompting an outpouring of grief and remembrance.
At the time, Woodcliff Lake Mayor Carlos Rendo ordered flags lowered and called for prayers on behalf of the family. “I just received word of this terrible tragedy,” he wrote. “I am in shock.”
Dozens of classmates, friends, and neighbors gathered Sept. 15 at Valley Chabad’s new campus for a candle lighting ceremony, organized in response to teens’ request for a space to grieve. Rabbi Yosef Orenstein and Rabbi Dov Drizin led prayers and reflections. Drizin, addressing the crowd of 150, sounded the shofar in a moment of spiritual awakening and tribute.
“We are all shocked and in such pain today,” Rabbi Yosef Orenstein said to those gathered. “A terrible accident took beloved parents, David and Michele, and their daughter, Brooke, a dear friend to many of our teens. Baruch Dayan HaEmes. We gather to light a candle, pray, share memories, and do a mitzvah in memory of Brooke and her dear parents. Whether you knew the family or not, we are all hurting.”
Brooke Dryerman, known for her warmth and community involvement, was remembered as a leader at school and in local Jewish youth programs. She had been president of Camp Raspberry, participated in Teens Against Cancer and Pascack Hills Unified, played on the girls tennis team, and had looked forward to a teacher cadet internship.
“She was always smiling and looking to help others,” said Hills student board representative Andrew Varian during a Sept. 23 tribute at the Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education meeting. “Brooke’s dream after college was to bring our community together and not be so divided.”
In the weeks following the tragedy, students left candles, flowers, and painted stones at Brooke’s school parking spot, quietly honoring the kindness and leadership she had shown.