The family of Krysta Tsukahara, one of three college students who lost their lives in a tragic Cybertruck crash in California, has filed a lawsuit seeking answers about the incident. The crash occurred in late November, during Thanksgiving break, when the vehicle struck a tree on a residential street and caught fire.
Krysta’s father, Carl Tsukahara, is desperate to understand the circumstances surrounding his daughter’s death. He has raised several questions about the night of the accident: Why was the driver behind the wheel? Where were the students before the crash? What caused the vehicle to ignite? Most importantly, why couldn’t Krysta escape the burning vehicle?
A toxicology report revealed that the driver had high levels of drugs and alcohol in his system, while Krysta had trace amounts. The crash claimed the lives of the driver and two passengers, including Krysta, who died from asphyxiation as she was unable to open the doors to escape. A witness reported trying to rescue her and others, but the flames made it impossible for them to get out in time.
The wrongful death lawsuit, filed in Alameda County Superior Court, targets the family of the driver, Soren Dixon, but does not name Tesla as a defendant. The Tsukahara family’s attorney, Roger Dreyer, stated that they have experts ready to examine the Cybertruck, but they need permission from the vehicle’s owner to access it. This lack of access has hindered their investigation into the crash.
The lawsuit also includes unnamed defendants, allowing the family to potentially add Tesla later. The complaint alleges that the defendants were negligent in their handling of the vehicle, contributing to the accident and the resulting injuries.
Tesla has not commented on the lawsuit or the incident. The company has previously claimed that its vehicles exceed safety standards and emphasized the Cybertruck’s five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, the Cybertruck has faced several safety recalls since its launch, raising concerns about its reliability.
Carl Tsukahara described his daughter as an "amazing girl" who never got into trouble. He and his wife, Noelle, are heartbroken and continue to grapple with the loss. They hope for answers and justice for their daughter, who they believe suffered a horrific fate in the crash. The family is left with a painful void and a desire to wake from what feels like a nightmare.