Two people were killed after a vehicle they were traveling in crashed into a Tesla Semi in what appears to be the first fatal collision involving the electric Class 8 truck.
Sergio Villanueva III and his wife, Jennifer Villanueva, both from Nevada, died in the June 28 crash. Their identities were shared through a GoFundMe page created to support their family.
Authorities said the couple were traveling in a vintage Volkswagen Beetle when it was struck from behind by the Tesla Semi at an intersection on US 50 in Dayton, Nevada, at about 7:20am local time, according to local reporting.
Nevada Highway Patrol and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said both occupants of the Volkswagen were pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators have not yet confirmed an official cause of the crash. However, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement posted to social media that ‘preliminary statements obtained at the scene suggest the driver of the semi may have fallen asleep’.
Police also said the truck driver, who has not been publicly identified, was not hurt.
On the fundraiser page, Stefanie Villanueva, the mother of Sergio’s son Sergio Villanueva IV, honored the couple while asking for support to help with costs in the aftermath of the tragedy.
No child is ever prepared to lose a parent, especially so suddenly,” she wrote.
“Sergio is currently attending college in Ohio, and our immediate priority is bringing him home to be with his family during this heartbreaking time.”
She went on to say that ‘no amount can replace the love, guidance, and memories of a father’, but hoped that it could ‘relieve some of the financial stress so Sergio can focus on being with his family and honoring his dad’s memory’.
Stefanie added: “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your love, support, and compassion during one of the most difficult times our family has ever faced.”
Family friend Jennifer Bauer told ABC affiliate KOLO that the couple brought warmth to those around them and described them as a ‘positive light’ with a ‘heart of gold’.
“They would have given the shirt off their backs, and there was nothing they wouldn’t do for anyone,” she told the outlet.
Officers said a second passenger vehicle was also struck in the crash. One person in that vehicle was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The crash came as Tesla is still ramping up Semi production in Nevada. The company has said the truck is being built at Gigafactory Nevada and that deliveries are starting in 2026.
The all-electric truck is designed to carry loads of roughly 60,000lbs and travel up to 500 miles on a single charge.
The crash remains under investigation.
Tesla has been approached for comment.