A married couple, Sergio and Jennifer Villanueva, were killed in the first known fatal crash involving Tesla's new electric semi-truck. The incident occurred on Sunday morning at a highway intersection in Dayton, Nevada, approximately 40 miles east of Reno.
The Lyon County Sheriff's Department stated that preliminary information suggests the semi-truck driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. The 10-ton Tesla truck struck the Villanuevas' Volkswagen Beetle around 7:20 a.m. Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Trooper James LaRose confirmed the collision.
The couple were pronounced dead at the scene. A second passenger vehicle was also struck in the incident, and another individual was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The identity of the semi-truck driver has not been released, and authorities have not indicated if charges will be filed.
The Tesla Semi model officially began operating on roads in March. The company initially announced its plans for a battery-powered semi-truck a decade ago, but faced delays. Tesla has promoted the semi-truck as an energy-efficient alternative, stating it charges four times faster than other electric trucks and costs $100,000 less.
DHL and Pepsi were among the pilot companies that have begun operating a fleet of Tesla Semi trucks as part of initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.
Friends and family members have identified the Villanuevas, who were married in 2022 and active members of a car club called Untouchable Image CC. Jennifer Bauer, a friend of the couple, described them to local ABC affiliate KOLO as individuals who "had a heart of gold" and were "positive lights," noting their volunteer work with a local animal rescue.
"They would have given the shirt off their backs, and there was nothing they wouldn’t do for anyone," Bauer said.
The Villanuevas are survived by their son, Sergio IV, a college student in Ohio. A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to help bring him home to be with his family during their mourning.
