Tragedy struck early Wednesday in Piedmont, California, as three individuals lost their lives and one was seriously injured in a fatal crash involving a Tesla Cybertruck. The incident occurred in Northern California, with speed suspected to be a contributing factor in the single-vehicle collision, according to Piedmont Police Chief Jeremy Bowers.
The occupants of the Cybertruck were returning from a gathering around 3:10 a.m. when the crash took place. Details about the function were not disclosed by Chief Bowers. Fortunately, a person who had also attended the event in a separate vehicle managed to rescue the surviving victim from the wreckage.
Authorities have refrained from releasing any identifying information about the victims out of respect for their families' privacy. Despite efforts by police officers to extinguish the flames with fire extinguishers, the fire department was able to swiftly put out the blaze.
Piedmont Fire Chief Dave Brannigan noted that the rapid containment of the fire made it unlikely that the Cybertruck's large lithium-ion battery was the source of the fire. He described the incident as more akin to a typical car fire.
Addressing concerns about recent recalls of the Cybertruck, Chief Bowers stated that there was no evidence to suggest mechanical issues as the primary cause of the collision. The Cybertruck has been subject to six recalls for various safety concerns, including problems with the electric inverter, rearview camera activation, trim pieces, windshield wipers, instrument panel warning lights, and gas pedal functionality.
The city of Piedmont, located approximately 2.5 miles northeast of Oakland, is now grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash continue.
