A married couple from Nevada was killed in a three-vehicle collision involving a new Tesla electric semi-truck on June 28, in what is believed to be the first fatal crash for the vehicle. The incident occurred around 7:20 a.m. at an intersection on U.S. 50 in Dayton, Nevada.
The 10-ton electric semi-truck rear-ended a vintage Volkswagen Beetle, killing both occupants, identified by an online fundraiser as Sergio and Jennifer Villanueva. The couple died at the scene, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol and Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.
Sergio Villanueva III and Jennifer Villanueva were Nevada locals. A GoFundMe campaign organized for their son, Sergio Villanueva IV, who is attending college in Ohio, stated, "No child is ever prepared to lose a parent, especially so suddenly." The campaign's priority is to help bring him home to his family.
Preliminary reports suggest the driver of the Tesla truck may have fallen asleep at the wheel, according to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. The driver of the semi was not injured. It remains unclear if any criminal charges will be filed.
A second passenger vehicle was also involved in the crash, and an individual from that vehicle was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The crash site is located approximately 30 miles northwest of Tesla's Nevada Gigafactory, where the semi-truck, which retails for more than $250,000, is manufactured. The electric semi-truck has been in regular production since the beginning of the year.
