It has not been a good week for Cybertruck owners. A fiery accident took the lives of three teenagers and multiple owners have reported issues with the recent blasts of arctic air.
A devastating incident involving a Tesla Cybertruck has left a small California community in shock as three college students lost their lives in a fiery crash. The accident, which occurred in the early hours of November 27, 2024, also left one person seriously injured.
Another Cybertruck crash a few months ago also claimed the life of a driver.
The victims of this crash were all 2023 graduates of Piedmont High School. The sole survivor, Jordan Miller, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Wisconsin, was pulled from the burning wreckage by a passerby and is currently fighting for his life in the hospital.
According to Piedmont Police Chief Jeremy Bowers, the Cybertruck jumped a curb and slammed into a retaining wall. The resulting fire was so intense that firefighters struggled to extinguish the flames.
Authorities were alerted to the accident by an automatic collision alert from a cellphone, followed by a 911 call from a witness. Speed is believed to be a primary factor in the crash, though investigators are exploring other potential contributing factors.
The families of the deceased have released heartfelt statements, painting a picture of three vibrant young lives cut tragically short:
– Soren Dixon, a USC student and lacrosse player, was remembered for his “boundless enthusiasm for life” and infectious smile.
– Jack Nelson, described as an “exceptional athlete,” was known for his love of the outdoors and strong faith.
– Krysta Tsukahara, a sophomore at Savannah College of Art and Design, was praised for her kind heart and eye for design.
The California Highway Patrol and Piedmont Police Department are conducting a thorough investigation into the crash. NHTSA is also launching an inquiry. While speed appears to be a significant factor, authorities are examining all aspects of the incident, including potential mechanical issues with the Cybertruck.
The Cybertruck has faced six recalls this year for a variety of issues. These recalls, and other stated reasons, made Geico cancel insurance for the vehicle.
This tragic event comes amid other concerns surrounding the Cybertruck, including reports of starting problems in cold weather conditions in Alberta, Canada.
Rob Roth, a resident of Alberta, Canada, shared his story in a Facebook community that was then shared to Reddit. The new Cybertruck owner stated he went from being “in love to heartbroken on the same day.”
Roth had just purchased his brand new Cybertruck, but just 24 hours layer the truck would not be working as expected.
In the group he shared, “I picked up my Cyberbeast yesterday afternoon, drove two hours home, and had a blast driving it last night with friends and family. This morning, I defrosted it and drove to work. At lunchtime, the defrost did not engage(46% battery left), would not go into Drive or Reverse, started giving me errors/warnings, and then shut right down.”
Another owner reported that he faced issues with snow and visibility. In r/CyberStuck a screenshot was posted that told the story of light degradation due to too much snow remaining on the lights. The driver had to stop and clear the lights while on the road, but the situation just kept occurring.
Another video that has been making the rounds shows a Cybertruck getting stuck in just four inches of snow. Of course it could be user error, but with several reports it could imply a bigger problem.