USC Student Killed in Tesla Cybertruck Crash in Piedmont
A USC student was one of three people killed in a Tesla Cybertruck crash early Wednesday in Piedmont, the university confirmed Saturday.
Details of the Crash
According to Piedmont Police Captain Chris Monahan, the Tesla “jumped the curb, struck a cement wall, and then wedged in between the wall and a tree.” Police said speed was likely a factor in the single-vehicle crash but that their investigation is continuing.
Victims Identified
The identities of the two others who died have yet to be released by authorities; they also were reported to be fellow graduates of Piedmont High’s Class of 2023.
Samantha Miller, the mother of a fourth occupant in the Tesla who was pulled from the vehicle by another driver, told CBS News in the Bay Area that the two other crash victims were Jack Nelson and Krysta Tsukahara, college students in Colorado and Georgia.
Injuries and Hospitalization
Authorities said on Wednesday that the fourth person who was injured was hospitalized in stable condition.
911 Call and Response
Piedmont Police Chief Jeremy Bowers said that dispatchers got an iPhone alert from a passenger in the Cybertruck around 3:08 that morning. The Tesla had gotten into a collision and was engulfed in flames by the time police officers arrived at the scene, according to Bowers.
Community Response
Piedmont Police Chief Jeremy Bowers said then that “we don’t know the cause of the collision and during the holiday season, our hearts go out to the families that are going to have to deal with this tragedy.”
Piedmont’s mayor, Jen Cavenaugh, attended Piedmont’s annual Turkey Trot on Thursday and called on community members to remember the three high school graduates killed.
“These things aren’t supposed to happen in our community,” she said. “We don’t get a practice ground for this, and there’s no rulebook for how we show up today. I went to bed last night thinking the words might come today for what to say. It turned out there are no words that will bring these kids back to us.”
Conclusion
The tragic accident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the devastating consequences of reckless driving. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims, as well as the community of Piedmont, during this difficult time.
FAQs
Q: Who was the USC student killed in the crash?
A: The USC student killed in the crash was Soren Dixon, a biological science major.
Q: Who were the other two victims?
A: The identities of the two other victims have not been released by authorities, but they were reportedly fellow graduates of Piedmont High’s Class of 2023.
Q: What happened during the crash?
A: The Tesla Cybertruck jumped the curb, struck a cement wall, and then wedged in between the wall and a tree, according to Piedmont Police Captain Chris Monahan.
Q: Is the investigation ongoing?
A: Yes, the investigation is continuing, and police are still determining the cause of the crash.
