Tesla Owner Files First-of-Its-Kind Lawsuit Over Vandalism Caught on Video

Nachawati Law Group: People should not be persecuted for the type of car they drive

DALLAS, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A Tesla owner has filed a lawsuit against a man caught on video vandalizing his car in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit seeking damages including infliction of emotional distress, mental anguish, lost wages, and property damage.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday by trial lawyers with Dallas-based Nachawati Law Group follows the weekend arrest of Rafael H. Hernandez by DFW International Airport police investigators. On March 16, the Tesla owner returned to the airport parking lot from a trip to discover a long, deep scratch on the side of his Tesla Model X. Mr. Hernandez was arrested after investigators retrieved the Tesla's onboard "sentry mode" security video that clearly showed a man using a car key to vandalize the vehicle.

"America is a free country, and you are entitled to purchase a car free from vandalism, harassment, harm or threats solely due to political beliefs," said Nachawati Law Group founder Majed Nachawati. "My client purchased a Tesla for reasons that have nothing to do with the things going on politically in this country. He enjoys his Tesla and believes it is among the best vehicles he has ever owned and is a great car to drive. To have someone persecuted for their choice of car is a travesty of justice. This is about freedom of choice and doing what you want, which you should be able to within the confines of the law."

The incident is part of a wave of vandalism and property damage targeting private owners of Tesla vehicles, who have been caught up in public anger in recent weeks conflating their vehicle ownership with support for Tesla CEO Elon Musk's work with the Trump administration's Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE). While U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi has threatened to aggressively prosecute the incidents, the Tarrant County lawsuit is the first known civil lawsuit filed by an individual Tesla owner related to the spike in vandalism.

"If swift action is not taken to stop this sort of outrageous and extreme conduct, I worry where our country could be headed to next," Mr. Nachawati said. "Our law firm is committed to protecting any Tesla owner or any other individual or business subjected to the same or similar type of harm."

The plaintiff purchased the vehicle in 2022 — before the public debate over Mr. Musk's ties to the Trump administration. He filed the lawsuit using his initials because he does not want his personal life to be further threatened. The case is J.N. v Rafael Hernandez, Case No. 141-363070-25 in Tarrant County District Court.

About Nachawati Law Group
Nachawati Law Group represents parties in mass tort litigation, businesses and governmental entities in contingent litigation, and individuals in complex personal injury litigation. For more information, visit https://ntrial.com.

SOURCE Nachawati Law Group