A Silicon Valley software developer and startup founder has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder following a fatal crash in San Jose, California, that killed a mother and her 1-year-old daughter. Prosecutors allege Zachary Chernicky, 31, was driving his Tesla at speeds exceeding 140 mph before colliding with a stopped vehicle on Highway 87.
According to data recovered during the investigation, authorities claim Chernicky was traveling at 142 mph approximately 15 seconds before impact, and 126 mph five seconds before impact. He was reportedly still moving at about 102 mph when his Tesla struck a Lexus that was stopped in traffic on December 2, 2025.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office stated that Chernicky was arrested on July 13, 2026, following an investigation conducted in coordination with the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Chernicky was arraigned on Tuesday, ordered held without bail, and is scheduled to return to court on August 25.
As a result of the collision, the Lexus burst into flames, killing front-seat passenger Ivana Balistreri, 29, and her daughter, Lilliana, who was just two weeks shy of her second birthday. Lilliana was reportedly secured in a child safety seat behind Balistreri. The fiancé driving the Lexus survived the crash.
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen emphasized that the case centers on the driver's alleged speed, not the make of the vehicle. "The law says that it is murder when someone shoots into a crowd," Rosen said in a statement. "When someone is driving 140 mph, then the driver is the shooter and their car is the bullet."
In addition to the Lexus, Chernicky's Tesla also collided with another Tesla and a Toyota, authorities said. Three of the four vehicles involved caught fire.
Chernicky is identified in publicly available professional profiles as the founder of CHURRDJ, a San Jose startup developing software for Pioneer DJ equipment. His past work experience includes technical support roles at Apple, Gong, Glean, and AI company Mistral AI.
The CHP issued a statement following the arrest, warning motorists about the dangers of excessive speed. "Do not speed. Speeding costs lives," the agency said. "CHP will hold reckless drivers accountable."