Northern California community mourns victims of Cybertruck crash at Thanksgiving Turkey Trot event
The community of Piedmont, California came together Thursday morning for its annual Turkey Trot event which was in essence a memorial for three young adults killed in a horrific crash of a Tesla Cybertruck on Wednesday.
A shaken Piedmont Mayor Jen Cavanaugh took a moment to remember the college students who were home for the holidays when their Cybertruck was involved in a fiery crash just after 3 a.m. Wednesday on Hampton Road and King Avenue.
Piedmont, with a population of about 10,000, is surrounded on all sides by the city of Oakland.
Cavanaugh said she had struggled since the night before to find the words to address the attendees at the Turkey Trot, many who were sobbing in the brisk morning chill.
"I went to bed last night thinking the words might come today for what to say," said Cavenaugh. "It turned out there are no words that will bring these kids back to us and make this all okay. For families who lost those who are so precious to them, there are no words to capture the depth of their sorrow. There are no words to express how much these kids mean to us."
Cavanaugh also asked for a moment of silence among the tearful crowd gathered in honor of the victims of the crash and urged them to hug each other before the start of the race.
"Piedmont, thank you for showing up in community, we appreciate you," Cavanaugh said. "Please turn and give a friend a hug. We all need each other today."
Three people died in the crash and a fourth occupant of the vehicle was pulled from the flaming wreckage by the driver of a vehicle that was behind the Cybertruck when the crash happened, police said. Cavanaugh said the victim had life-threatening injuries and was undergoing surgery as she was speaking.
"I honestly do not have the vocabulary to describe it," said a man at the memorial gathering who did not want to share his name. "Ever since I heard every single emotion has been raging."
He knew two of the three people killed. He coached one in high school football, and went on a mission trip to Mexico with the other.
He says they left an impression on him.
"They were turning into nothing short of phenomenal young men. Fantastic character," he said. "Anyone who knows them knows that they were fantastic kids. I feel like I lost little brothers. I love them both to death. "
Piedmont police did not release the identities of the three people killed, but CBS News Bay Area learned on Friday morning from the mother of the crash survivor that the three people who died were Jack Nelson and Soren Dixon -- both male. The female victim was identified as Krysta Tsukahara. The survivor who remains hospitalized was identified as Jordan Miller.
All three were Piedmont High School graduates from the class of 2023. The victims were all home from college for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Investigators believe speed was a contributing factor in the crash. Other circumstances surrounding the cause of the crash and the resulting fire were still under investigation. There was no sign of any mechanical problems with the vehicle or that the Cybertruck's lithium battery played a role in the fire, police said.
On Dec. 4, the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration confirmed that officials are reviewing details from authorities and Tesla about the deadly collision.
Amanda Hari contributed to this report.
