The Incident
A devastating crash involving a Tesla Cybertruck claimed the lives of three people and left one seriously injured early Wednesday morning in Piedmont, California, a suburb near Oakland. Piedmont Police Chief Jeremy Bowers confirmed the incident during a press conference, describing the tragedy as particularly poignant on the day before Thanksgiving.
First Responders and Rescue Efforts
The crash occurred at 3:08 a.m., with police responding promptly after receiving an iPhone crash notification and a 911 call. First responders found the vehicle engulfed in flames. Despite their initial attempts to extinguish the fire, the blaze proved too intense for handheld extinguishers. The Piedmont Fire Department arrived shortly afterward and managed to control the flames.
A nearby motorist who witnessed the fiery wreck managed to rescue the lone survivor, who was rushed to the hospital. The survivor underwent surgery and is currently in recovery, according to family friends.
Victims and Community Impact
Police have not identified the victims, citing respect for the grieving families. NBC Bay Area reported that all four individuals in the vehicle were college students home for the holiday. Flowers and tributes have been left at the crash site. Sandy Martin, a former teacher of some of the victims, expressed sorrow: "This shouldn’t happen to any kid. But when you know them, it just makes it worse."
Investigation and Possible Causes
The Piedmont Police Department and California Highway Patrol are investigating the crash. Chief Bowers noted that speed likely played a role, although the crash site is not a high-risk area for collisions. Early reports suggest the group may have attended a local function prior to the accident.
Piedmont Fire Chief Dave Brannigan clarified that the fire did not appear to involve the Cybertruck’s lithium battery, as firefighters extinguished it relatively quickly. However, the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Community Response
Despite the tragedy, the city plans to hold its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, a 5-kilometer walk and run, as scheduled. Mayor Jen Cavenaugh will precede the event with remarks about the crash and a moment of silence to honor the victims.
Chief Bowers summed up the sentiment of the day: “It’s devastating. But the devastation pales in comparison to what these families are dealing with this morning, the day before Thanksgiving.”
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