Student Killed in Fiery Tesla Cybertruck Crash Identified

A tragic Tesla Cybertruck crash in California has led to new wrongful death lawsuits. The suits allege a dangerous design flaw prevented victims from escaping the burning vehicle. The incident occurred in Piedmont, California, last November.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the lawsuits claim the electronic door system failed after the crash. This trapped 19-year-old Krysta Tsukahara inside as the vehicle caught fire.

Survivor Was Conscious But Could Not Escape

Krysta Michelle Tsukahara was a sophomore at Savannah College of Art and Design. She reportedly survived the initial impact with the retaining wall and tree. The lawsuit states she was conscious but unable to open the doors.

The vehicle’s 12-volt battery system lost power in the crash. This failure rendered the primary electronic door releases useless. A manual release was reportedly difficult to locate and access.

Lawsuit Points to Known Safety Issue

Attorney Roger Dreyer told the Chronicle that Tesla has known about this risk for years. The lawsuit cites over 30 publicized issues with Tesla door systems. It accuses the company of “conscious disregard” for occupant safety.

The handleless door design opens with a button press. The suit describes this system as prone to failure during accidents. It allegedly lacked a proper, accessible manual release or a functional fail-safe.

Multiple Lawsuits Seek Accountability

Tsukahara’s parents, Carl and Noelle, filed one lawsuit. The parents of another victim, Jack Nelson, filed a separate suit. Both seek unspecified punitive damages from Tesla.

The California Highway Patrol cited impaired driving and speeding as factors. All four occupants had cocaine, alcohol, and other substances in their systems. However, the lawsuits argue the design flaw directly caused the entrapment and subsequent deaths.

The lawsuits against Tesla highlight a critical safety concern for modern electric vehicles. This tragic Tesla Cybertruck fire case could set a major precedent for automotive safety standards. The outcome will be closely watched by consumers and the entire auto industry.

Info at your fingertips

What happened in the Tesla Cybertruck crash?

The Cybertruck hit a retaining wall and a tree in Piedmont, California. The crash caused the vehicle to ignite, trapping some occupants inside.

Who was Krysta Tsukahara?

Krysta Tsukahara was a 19-year-old art student. She was a passenger in the Cybertruck and died from smoke inhalation.

What is the main allegation against Tesla?

The lawsuits claim the electronic door system failed, trapping passengers. They allege Tesla knew about this dangerous design flaw but did not fix it.

Did anyone survive the crash?

One passenger, Jordan Miller, escaped. A bystander broke the windshield with a tree branch to help him get out.

Has Tesla commented on the lawsuit?

Tesla has not publicly responded to the recent filings. The company did not reply to requests for comment from major news outlets.