After a crash killed two of her friends, a 19-year-old California college student became trapped inside a burning Tesla Cybertruck that allegedly locked shut after impact. Krysta Tsukahara was riding with friends during Thanksgiving break in November 2024 when the vehicle slammed into a retaining wall and burst into flames.
Driver Soren Dixon, 19, and passenger Jack Nelson, 20, died at the scene alongside Krysta. The only survivor, Jordan Miller, was pulled from the wreck by a friend who smashed a window to rescue him moments before the fire spread.
Investigators later found Dixon had alcohol, meth, and cocaine in his system. Authorities said speeding and impaired driving contributed to the crash.
But lawsuits filed by Tsukahara’s and Nelson’s families claim Tesla’s Cybertruck design turned the vehicle into a deadly trap. According to the lawsuits, the electronic doors failed after the crash, preventing passengers from escaping as flames filled the cabin.
Krysta reportedly survived the initial impact with minor injuries but died from smoke inhalation and severe burns after being unable to open the door. The lawsuits argue Tesla’s manual emergency release was too difficult to find during an emergency.
Her family accused Tesla of knowingly selling a vehicle with dangerous flaws, saying her death was preventable. “The design of this vehicle failed Krysta,” their attorney said.
The lawsuits seek punitive damages as scrutiny around the Cybertruck continues to grow amid recalls, safety concerns, and mounting legal pressure on Tesla.