'Their Tesla Model 3 suddenly and rapidly accelerated out of control, continuing to accelerate faster and faster for at least five seconds,' according to the complaint. Dennis was seen on security footage swerving to avoid other cars before they eventually crashed into a utility pole, the documents stated. Jeff Dennis, 53, has filed a federal lawsuit against Tesla after his wife, Wendy, was killed due to defective design flaws in the Tesla Model 3 The Tesla, a 2018 Model 3, reportedly accelerated out of control 'without warning or command from the driver,' before crashing and catching fire Dennis suffered 'extreme' burning of the legs, and numerous other injuries Upon impact the vehicle erupted in flames, which the suit alleged to have been caused by defective batteries and battery pack design. Rescuers attempted to open the vehicle but were unable to open the doors due to the cars 'defective door handle design,' which become inoperable after a crash, the lawsuit alleged. 'Several good Samaritans even attempted to use a baseball bat to break the car windows to help the Dennis' out of the burning vehicle,' according to the documents. 'However, the increasingly intense fire forced them to distance themselves. First responders arrived on the scene several minutes later and extracted Jeff and Wendy from the vehicle.' Wendy, 52, was pulled from the vehicle but had already died from multiple blunt force injuries, the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office said in a release. Her husband Jeff had suffered 'extreme' burning of the legs, and numerous other injuries.