A tragic incident involving a Tesla Cybertruck has led to the deaths of three college students and sparked two lawsuits against the electric vehicle manufacturer. On November 17, 2023, a crash in Piedmont, California, resulted in the vehicle catching fire after it collided with a retaining wall and a tree. The victims included 19-year-old Krysta Tsukahara, the driver Soren Dixon, also 19, and 20-year-old Jack Nelson. While Tsukahara and her friends did not survive, a fourth passenger, 20-year-old Jordan Miller, managed to escape with the help of a passerby who broke the windscreen with a tree branch.
Details emerging from the lawsuits filed by Tsukahara’s parents, Carl and Noelle Tsukahara, reveal that Krysta survived the initial crash but was unable to exit the vehicle due to a power loss that disabled the electronic door mechanisms. The lawsuit, filed in Alameda County Superior Court, claims that Tsukahara succumbed to smoke inhalation and burns while trapped inside the Cybertruck, as onlookers could not extract her or the other passengers.
According to the lawsuit, Tesla vehicles utilize a 12-volt battery for door operation, which can fail during a crash. Although there is a manual door release, it is not easily accessible. The family’s attorney, Roger Dreyer, criticized Tesla, stating, “It’s just a horror story. Tesla knows that it’s happened and that it’s going to happen, and they are doing nothing but selling the car with a system that entraps people and doesn’t provide a way of extraction.”
The lawsuit cites over 30 documented instances of issues with Tesla’s door systems, asserting that the company has displayed a “conscious disregard” for consumer safety. It emphasizes that the door design lacks a functional, accessible, and conspicuous manual release mechanism or fail-safe. As of now, Tesla has not issued a public comment regarding the lawsuits.
In a separate suit, Nelson’s parents, Todd and Stannye Nelson, have also filed a wrongful death claim against Tesla, seeking unspecified punitive damages. Despite all four victims testing positive for alcohol and other substances at the time of the crash, Dreyer remains confident about the strength of the Tsukaharas’ case against Tesla. The California Highway Patrol has stated that impaired driving and speeding contributed to the incident.
Dreyer noted, “They [Tesla] will want to blame Mr. Dixon, anybody but themselves. But this vehicle absolutely should not have entombed these individuals and my client’s daughter.” He emphasized the importance of holding the company accountable for its alleged negligence.
The Tesla Cybertruck was launched in November 2023 and has faced various challenges since its release. Earlier in March 2024, Tesla recalled over 46,000 Cybertrucks due to collision risks. As investigations continue, the families of the victims seek justice and answers regarding the safety features of the vehicle.
The Mirror US has reached out to Tesla for a statement regarding the lawsuits and the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident.
