In the early hours of November 27, 2024, a Tesla Cybertruck plowed into a tree and retaining wall in Piedmont, California, igniting a fire that claimed three young lives. That crash—and the names behind it—shocked a tight‐knit community. 

In this article you will learn the identities of the victims, details of the crash, toxicology findings, legal actions that followed, and the broader implications of this tragedy in this article.

Piedmont Crash Names Revealed

Who Were the Victims

Local and national media sources confirmed the three deceased were Soren Dixon, Jack Nelson, and Krysta Tsukahara.

• Soren Dixon, 19, was the driver of the Cybertruck.

• Jack Nelson, 20, was a passenger.

• Krysta Tsukahara, 19, served as another passenger.

The sole survivor, Jordan Miller, 20, was pulled from the wreck by a friend who broke the windows. 

All four were recent graduates of Piedmont High School (Class of 2023) and were home for Thanksgiving break when the crash occurred.

Crash Details and Timeline

At about 3 a.m., the Cybertruck traveled along Hampton Road toward King Avenue when it left the road, hit a curb, then struck a retaining wall and tree. Fire consumed the vehicle rapidly, making rescue exceedingly difficult. 

Speed appears central to the crash. The California Highway Patrol and Piedmont police have stated that unsafe speed was a likely factor.

Toxicology and Autopsy Findings

Toxicology reports, released in February 2025, revealed all three who died had alcohol and cocaine in their systems. 

• Soren Dixon had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.195%, methamphetamine, and cocaine.

• Jack Nelson showed a BAC of 0.168% and cocaine presence. 

• Krysta Tsukahara had a BAC of 0.028% and cocaine. 

The Alameda County Coroner determined the cause of death as asphyxia and smoke inhalation, with burns also significant. The deaths were ruled accidental. 

Legal Actions and Lawsuits

After gaining access to the toxicology findings, Krysta’s parents, Carl and Noelle Tsukahara, filed a wrongful death lawsuit naming the estate of Soren Dixon and the vehicle’s registered owner, Charles Patterson (a relative).

The suit claims Dixon drove negligently, lost control, and that Patterson negligently entrusted the Cybertruck to him. It also asserts Krysta was trapped after the crash and not physically injured in the collision. 

In October 2025, the lawsuit was amended to include Tesla, Inc., accusing it of design defects in the Cybertruck’s door mechanisms, which allegedly prevented escape. The Tsukahara suit alleges that the manual release was practically inaccessible and that door handles relied on power systems that fail in crashes.

In the same period, Jack Nelson’s family also filed suit against Tesla, similarly alleging design defects turned a survivable crash into a fatal one.

Video, Photo Evidence, and Survivor Testimony

Public records revealed 16 videos and 102 still images from surveillance and police sources. Some footage shows the Cybertruck rounding a corner prior to impact, neighbors capturing Miller being walked away from the scene, and flashing emergency lights.

One video captures Miller’s father being told his son was the lone survivor. Another shows a friend who followed and attempted to rescue the passengers, breaking windows and pulling Miller to safety. That friend was unable to reach Krysta because the fire had spread too quickly.

A neighbor witness described the truck as engulfed in a “ball of fire.” 

Key Patterns and Observations

• The crash occurred just before Thanksgiving, during early morning hours, when visibility can be low and fatigue may be a factor.

• All victims were young, recent high school graduates returning from college, putting this tragedy in the spotlight for communities and schools nationwide.

• The toxicology results revealed impairment to various degrees, especially for the driver.

• The lawsuits center not only on driver negligence, but also on owner liability (negligent entrustment) and alleged vehicle design flaws.

Community Response and Memorials

Piedmont, California, a small city of around 10,000 residents, responded with mourning. Candlelight vigils and memorials flanked the crash site, where friends, families and neighbors laid flowers and messages.

The community’s annual Turkey Trot proceeded, with the mayor addressing the crowd with emotion, remarking that “these things aren’t supposed to happen in our community.”

Implications for Auto Safety and Regulation

Tesla’s design, especially the electric door system and manual override placement, now faces scrutiny in multiple lawsuits. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reportedly reviewing past complaints about Tesla door malfunctions and the challenges they pose in emergencies. 

If courts find merit in the design defect claims, carmakers might face increased pressure to design fail-safe mechanical systems that function even during power loss in crashes.

Conclusion

The tragedy in Piedmont put real faces behind headlines. Soren Dixon, Jack Nelson, and Krysta Tsukahara were bright college sophomores with futures ahead of them. Their deaths, now part of extensive legal and safety debates, resonate far beyond one community. 

While investigations and court battles move forward, the names of those young lives urge changes in how we manage reckless behavior, vehicle design, and accountability.