A married couple, identified as Sergio and Jennifer Villanueva, were killed in a highway intersection crash involving a new Tesla semi-truck in Dayton, Nevada, authorities confirmed. The incident on Sunday morning is the first known fatal crash involving the electric truck, which officially began appearing on roads in March.

The Lyon County Sheriff's Department indicated that preliminary findings suggest the semi-truck driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel. The 10-ton Tesla truck collided with the Villanuevas' Volkswagen Beetle around 7:20 a.m. on Sunday, according to Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Trooper James LaRose. The couple were pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities stated that a second passenger vehicle was also hit, resulting in another individual sustaining life-threatening injuries. This person was transported to a hospital.

Sergio and Jennifer Villanueva were reportedly car enthusiasts and members of a Nevada car club called Untouchable Image CC. The club announced their passing on Facebook, stating, "We lost two family members this morning due to a devastating accident on Hwy 50. Sergio Villanueva and Jennifer Villanueva were both beloved friends, family, and club members."

Friends described the couple as generous and kind. "They would have given the shirt off their backs, and there was nothing they wouldn’t do for anyone," Jennifer Bauer, a friend, told local news outlet KOLO. She added that they "had a heart of gold" and were a "positive light."

The couple were local volunteers and were described by friends as people who would 'have given the shirt off their backs'

The Villanuevas married in 2022 and are survived by their son, Sergio IV, who is a college student in Ohio. A GoFundMe page has been established to help him travel home to mourn with his family.

Tesla first announced plans for its battery-powered semi-truck a decade ago, but production faced several delays. The company has promoted the semi as a more cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative to traditional diesel trucks, claiming it charges four times faster and costs $100,000 less. Companies such as DHL and Pepsi were among the initial fleet operators participating in pilot programs aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

The model debuted earlier this year as a cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative to other semi-trucks. DHL and Pepsi were among the pilot companies to purchase a fleet of trucks

The identity of the semi-truck driver has not been released, and authorities have not yet stated whether any charges will be filed.