A married couple in Nevada were killed in a crash involving a new Tesla semi-truck.
Sergio and Jennifer Villanueva were identified as two fatalities in an early morning crash on Sunday morning at a highway intersection in Dayton, a city about 40 miles east of Reno, according to local authorities and family members.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Department said preliminary statements suggest the driver of the semi-truck may have fallen asleep.
A 10-ton Tesla truck slammed into the Villanueva’s Volkswagen Beetle at around 7.20am, Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Trooper James LaRose said in a statement to Forbes.
The occupants of the Beetle were not named in initial reports, but local news and family members have shared their identities on Facebook.
The sheriff’s department said that a second passenger vehicle was also struck, and another individual was flown to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Highway Patrol said the two fatalities were pronounced dead at the scene. The Daily Mail has reached out to the department for an update.
The tragic crash marks the first involving Tesla’s new electric semi-truck. The model has only officially been on the road since March.
Jennifer and Sergio Villanueva have been identified as the first known victims of a crash involving Tesla’s new semi-truck
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 Villanuevas were car lovers and were members of a car club in Nevada. They drove a vintage Volkswagen Beetle
Tesla initially announced its plan for a battery-powered semi-truck a decade ago, but a series of delays and refocuses hindered its debut on the road.
Jennifer Bauer, a friend of the couple, told local ABC affiliate KOLO that the Villaneuvas volunteered 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. She added that the pair ‘had a heart of gold’ and were a ‘positive light.’
Villanueva leaves behind a son, Sergio IV, currently attending college in Ohio. His son’s mother has started a GoFundMe to raise money to bring him home to mourn with the family.
‘No amount can replace the love, guidance, and memories of a father, but your generosity can help relieve some of the financial stress so Sergio can focus on being with his family and honoring his dad’s memory,’ the description stated.
The couple married in 2022 and were car lovers. Their car club, Untouchable Image CC, announced earlier this week.
‘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,’ Untouchable Image said.
‘They will be missed and mourned by everyone lucky enough to know them. They were some of the most amazing people and were taken from their loved ones too soon.’
Sergio leaves behind his son, Sergio IV, who is a college student in Ohio. A GoFundMe was launched to raise money for Serigo IV
The couple were local volunteers and were described by friends as people who would ‘have given the shirt off their backs’
The driver’s identity has not been released, and authorities have not said whether charges will be filed.
Tesla has boasted about their new semi-truck. The company says the model charges four times faster than other electric trucks and costs $100,000 less.
DHL and Pepsi were among the pilot companies that began operating a modest Tesla Semi fleet as part of ongoing initiatives to reduce carbon emissions.
The Daily Mail has contacted Tesla and a relative of the Villanuevas for additional comment.
