PIEDMONT, CA. (THECOUNT) —
A devastating single-vehicle accident involving a Tesla Cybertruck claimed the lives of three young Piedmont residents and left one severely injured early Wednesday morning, just hours before Thanksgiving. The crash occurred at approximately 3 a.m. on Moraga Avenue in Piedmont, California, according to local authorities.
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The victims, all recent graduates of Piedmont High School’s class of 2023 and current college sophomores, were traveling in the Tesla Cybertruck when it jumped a curb, struck a cement wall, and became wedged between the wall and a tree. The collision resulted in a catastrophic fire that consumed the vehicle, making rescue efforts nearly impossible.
Victims Identified
Piedmont Police Chief Jeremy Bowers confirmed that the victims included two young men and one young woman, though their names have not yet been publicly released. The lone survivor, also a 2023 Piedmont High graduate, was pulled from the wreckage by a man driving behind the Cybertruck at the time of the crash. The survivor suffered severe burns and other injuries and remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Crash and Rescue Details
The Piedmont Police Department was alerted to the crash by an iPhone in the vehicle, which sent an automatic crash detection alert. Responding officers arrived to find the vehicle engulfed in flames.
According to eyewitness accounts, the man driving behind the Cybertruck bravely pulled the injured survivor to safety before the fire intensified. However, the heat quickly became too intense for anyone to approach the vehicle to assist the other occupants.
“The nature of the vehicle being a Cybertruck, and the heat was just too intense,” Chief Bowers explained during a press conference.
Piedmont Fire Chief David Brannigan noted that the fire did not appear to be caused by a failure of the Cybertruck’s lithium-ion battery pack, as is sometimes associated with electric vehicle fires. “Due to the quick nature of being able to suppress the fire, we don’t think the main lithium battery of the car was on fire,” Brannigan stated.
Preliminary Investigation Findings
Authorities believe speed was a significant factor in the crash. Tesla’s Cybertruck, weighing nearly 7,000 pounds, is known for its ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds, contributing to the vehicle’s high momentum during the accident.
The crash occurred on a stretch of road near Piedmont’s border with Oakland, an area known for its tight curves and potential driving hazards. Investigators have ruled out mechanical failure as a cause but are still examining whether drugs or alcohol may have played a role.
Community Mourning
The tragedy has left the Piedmont community in shock. Piedmont High School, where all four individuals graduated just months earlier, is providing grief counseling and resources for students and faculty grappling with the sudden loss of their former classmates.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy that touches the lives of many in our close-knit community,” Chief Bowers said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims during this incredibly difficult time.”
Ongoing Investigation
Both the Piedmont Police Department and the California Highway Patrol are continuing to investigate the crash. Officials urge anyone with additional information to contact the Piedmont Police Department at (510) 420-3000.
The survivor, who remains hospitalized, is expected to undergo multiple surgeries in the coming weeks. The identities of the deceased victims will be released after their families have been fully notified.
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