Driver charged with murder in crash that killed 2 on Highway 87 in San Jose

A San Jose driver has been arrested and charged with murder following a fiery crash that killed a mother and her young child on Highway 87 late last year.

According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, 31-year-old Zachary Chernicky was arraigned Tuesday on two counts of murder in connection with the multi-vehicle crash, which took place on the morning of Dec. 2, 2025 north of Curtner Avenue. A fire following the collision burned two Teslas and a Lexus.

According to the CHP, an adult and a juvenile who were inside the Lexus died in the collision. The family identified the victims as 29-year-old Ivana Balisteri and Lilliana, her 1-year-old daughter.

In a statement Thursday, the agency said an investigation determined one of the Tesla drivers was at fault for the collision and an arrest warrant was issued. Chernicky was arrested on Monday without incident. 

Prosecutors said Chernicky was driving his Tesla at over 140 mph before striking the back of the victim's vehicle, which then struck the vehicle in front of them. The posted speed limit on the freeway is 65 mph.

"The law says that it is murder when someone shoots into a crowd," District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement. "When someone is driving 140 mph, then the driver is the shooter and their car is the bullet."

Chernicky suffered minor injuries in the crash, prosecutors said.

According to the DA's office, Chernicky was remanded to jail without bail following his arraignment. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 25.

Chernicky faces "significant prison time" if convicted, prosecutors said.