Three lives were lost, and her parents are now taking legal action against the company

A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken California after 19-year-old college student **Krysta Tsukahara** was burned alive inside a **Tesla Cybertruck** following a fiery crash that also claimed the lives of two of her friends. The devastating accident occurred on **November 27, 2024**, during Thanksgiving break, when Krysta and her three friends—**Soren Dixon**, 19, **Jack Nelson**, 20, and **Jordan Miller**—were driving home from Piedmont High School, where all three victims had recently graduated.

According to investigators, the Cybertruck **collided with a retaining wall**, igniting instantly upon impact. When emergency responders arrived, the vehicle was **fully engulfed in flames**. Krysta, Dixon, and Nelson were trapped inside and unable to escape. Only Jordan Miller survived, rescued by a friend who shattered a window with a tree branch moments before the truck was consumed by fire. Toxicology reports later revealed that Dixon, the driver, had **methamphetamine, cocaine, and a blood alcohol level over twice the legal limit**, while Krysta and Nelson also tested positive for alcohol and cocaine.

Krysta’s parents have since filed a **wrongful death lawsuit** against **Tesla** and the estate of the vehicle’s owner, claiming that their daughter initially **survived the impact** but was **trapped by a failed electronic door system**. The lawsuit alleges that the Cybertruck’s **manual release mechanism** was poorly designed and nearly impossible to locate during an emergency. A Good Samaritan’s attempts to free Krysta through the passenger window failed as the **doors remained electronically locked**. She ultimately died from **smoke inhalation and severe burns**.

The families of both Krysta and Jack Nelson accuse Tesla of knowingly selling vehicles with **defective safety systems**, citing prior reports of **door malfunctions** in emergency situations. Their attorney described the event as a “**horror story**,” insisting that Krysta’s death was preventable and calling for accountability.

While authorities confirmed that **impaired driving and speeding** played a role in the crash, the families argue that Tesla’s **design flaws** turned a survivable accident into a deadly trap. The case has intensified scrutiny of the **Cybertruck**, which has faced **multiple recalls and lawsuits** since its late 2023 release. As legal proceedings continue, the community mourns a bright young woman whose life ended far too soon — and demands answers about how such a tragedy was allowed to happen.