A tragic crash involving a Tesla Cybertruck near San Francisco last November resulted in the deaths of three college students. The California Highway Patrol reported that drug use and excessive speed were the main factors behind the incident, which occurred shortly after 3 a.m. on November 27 in Piedmont.
Four young adults were in the Cybertruck when it veered off the road, hit a retaining wall, and caught fire. The victims, Soren Dixon, 19, Jack Nelson, 20, and Krysta Tsukahara, 19, all died at the scene. The fourth passenger, Jordan Miller, 20, survived after being rescued by someone from another vehicle.
Authorities found that toxicology reports indicated the deceased had alcohol, cocaine, and other substances in their systems. The autopsy revealed that their deaths were due to asphyxia from smoke inhalation, with burns also contributing significantly.
Firefighters responded quickly to extinguish the flames, which were intense enough that police officers couldn’t put them out with fire extinguishers. Piedmont Fire Chief Dave Brannigan noted that the speed at which the fire was controlled suggested it was not caused by the Cybertruck’s lithium-ion battery, describing it instead as a typical car fire.
The California Highway Patrol is still investigating the incident and expects to release a final report in the coming months. This crash comes amidst ongoing concerns about the safety of the Cybertruck, which has faced multiple recalls since its release. Issues have included problems with the electric inverter and gas pedals that could get stuck.
The students were all home for Thanksgiving break and were graduates of Piedmont High School. Their tragic deaths have shocked the community, highlighting the dangers of impaired driving and the consequences of reckless behavior on the road.