Chevy Bolt EV Wrongful Death Lawsuit Alleges Battery Fire Killed Four Occupants

As electric vehicles become more prevalent on U.S. roadways, a series of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of vehicles using lithium-ion batteries.

The families of four people killed in a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV have filed a lawsuit alleging defects in the vehicle’s high-voltage lithium-ion battery caused it to ignite following a crash, preventing any chance of escaping.

The complaint (PDF) was brought in California state court on August 18, asserting wrongful death claims on behalf of four individuals. Francisco Soriano Cruz and Benilda Jovel Gonzalez filed on behalf of Maria Patricia Soriano Jovel’s estate, while Jaime Leonel Hernandez Garcia represents the estates of Christopher Leonel Hernandez Soriano and Grace Carmen Hernandez Soriano. Autumn Ayala and Luna Del Rosario also joined the lawsuit on behalf of the estate of Jose De Jesus Tovar.

It names General Motors LLC, Chevrolet, Hertz Vehicles LLC and Christopher Lee Harris as defendants. The case was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on September 30.

The families claim the defendants knew or should have known about the battery fire risks based on prior complaints, lawsuits and regulatory investigations, yet failed to adequately address the hazards or warn consumers.

Electric Vehicle Battery Fire Risks

The Chevy Bolt is a popular all-electric vehicle manufactured by General Motors. However, concerns about defective batteries and the risk of vehicle fires have led to recalls, safety investigations and lawsuits involving GM and other major electric vehicle manufacturers.

In 2021, General Motors recalled more than 50,000 Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles following reports of battery fires involving vehicles that had already undergone repairs as part of an earlier recall.

Tesla has faced similar allegations in lawsuits involving fires allegedly caused by defective lithium-ion battery packs. In one case, a woman claimed that a Tesla battery defect caused her vehicle to suddenly catch fire while she was driving, causing her to lose control and crash.

Chevy Bolt EV Battery Fire Allegations

According to the complaint, the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV was equipped with a high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack located beneath the vehicle, with a portion extending under the rear passenger seats.

The fatal crash occurred on September 9, 2024, on Gilman Springs Road in Riverside County, California, when a Honda Insight attempted to pass a Dodge Durango and collided with it. Both vehicles crossed into oncoming traffic, where the Honda struck a Chevy Bolt rented from Hertz and driven by Jose De Jesus Tovar, who was traveling with three passengers.

The Chevy Bolt then struck a guardrail and fence before becoming airborne and landing in a drainage ditch. However, the families allege the collision itself was not solely responsible for the four deaths.

According to the lawsuit, battery cells beneath the rear seats began smoking and ignited after the impact, causing a fire that quickly engulfed the passenger compartment. All four occupants died, with the complaint alleging that burns, smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning contributed to their deaths.

The families claim General Motors and other defendants knew or should have known that Chevy Bolt batteries were susceptible to internal short circuits, thermal runaway and fires, citing prior complaints, lawsuits and regulatory investigations.

The lawsuit alleges the defendants failed to adequately warn consumers about these dangers or implement safer battery designs, including improved cell separators, underbody protection, thermal management and fire-containment systems that could have reduced the risk of a deadly post-crash fire.

“The subject vehicle was unreasonably, dangerously, and defectively designed and/or manufactured in that the battery enclosure and containment system failed to prevent fire originating within a battery cell from spreading to adjacent cells and out of the battery pack, through the passenger compartment, to the rest of the vehicle.”

— Francisco Soriano Cruz et al. v. General Motors LLC et al.

The complaint raises allegations of strict and negligent products liability, breach of implied warranty, wrongful death and survival action, as well as negligence claims against Harris, who was driving the Dodge Durango.

It seeks economic and non-economic damages, including lost wages, medical and funeral expenses, emotional distress, costs and pre- and post-judgment interest.

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