PIEDMONT, CA – A heartbroken family filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Wednesday in connection with a catastrophic Cybertruck crash in Piedmont that killed three college students the day before Thanksgiving.

Carl and Noelle Tsukahara, parents of 19-year-old Krysta Tsukahara, are suing the estate of Soren Dixon, the Cybertruck’s 19-year-old driver. Charles Patterson, the owner of the vehicle involved in the November incident, has also been identified as a defendant. Patterson is Dixon’s relative.

There are other nameless defendants listed as “DOES 1 through 20” who, according to the Plaintiffs, could be modified if evidence of individuals or corporate entities involved in the crash is discovered.

According to autopsy records, Dixon ingested alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Tsukahara and Nelson tested positive for both alcohol and cocaine.

The Tsukahara family says they launched the lawsuit to learn more about what transpired before 3 a.m. on Nov. 27, 2024, when Dixon drove his relative’s Cybertruck and crashed with three other friends, including Carl and Noelle’s daughter, Krysta, Jack Nelson, 20, and Jordan Miller, 20, inside.

“The family still does not know what happened that evening that resulted in the crash and why the vehicle caught fire. The Tsukuhara family needs and deserves answers to these questions, according to their statement.

The family’s attorney, Roger Dreyer, told KTVU that they want access to the Cybertruck, which is currently with the California Highway Patrol.

KTVU contacted Patterson by phone but was informed he had no comment.

Dixon smashed into a tree along Hampton Road and King Avenue in Piedmont while speeding, according to police. The specific speed has not been released.

The Tesla Cybertruck caught fire after impact, killing Dixon, Tsukahara, and Nelson.

Miller was the only one who survived; a friend pulled him out by breaking the vehicle’s windows and dragging him to safety.

According to community members, Miller has since returned to the University of Wisconsin, where he studies business.

In the complaint filed on Wednesday, the parents claim Dixon “negligently and carelessly drove” the Cybertruck, losing control and causing it to catch fire.

“This fire that started after the collision resulted in the death of Decedent Krysta Michelle Tsukahara, who was trapped in the subject vehicle,” according to the complaint.

According to the parents, Patterson recklessly entrusted Dixon with the Cybertruck “in such a fashion as to cause and/or contribute to the occurrence of the incident.”

According to a statement released Wednesday by the parents, Krysta was not physically wounded in the crash but was trapped inside the Cybertruck after it took fire.

“Krysta was sitting in the back passenger seat when the vehicle collided with a tree and took fire. She was not physically harmed in the collision, but was tragically stuck inside the vehicle while it burnt, unable to escape,” Kellie DeMarco, a family representative, said.

The parents claim to have suffered both economic and non-economic damages, including the loss of their daughter’s “love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, and moral support.”

The Tsukahara family is claiming damages for medical expenses incurred as a result of Krysta’s care before to her death, as well as losses to her personal belongings. They’re also seeking monetary damages to cover funeral and burial expenses, as well as the cost of their legal case.

“Krysta was a beautiful, bright young woman with her whole life ahead of her,” her father, Carl, stated. “We’ve had to face not only the loss of our daughter and our son’s sister, but also the silence of others who were with her that night, as well as how someone could be in this vehicle in the condition that he was in in relation to his drinking and drug usage. Our family is seeking greater information about every facet of this tragedy.”

Dreyer, the family’s attorney, stated that Krysta’s parents are seeking answers to determine who is responsible for the Cybertruck crash.

“Our clients don’t want to speculate as to who is to blame,” Dreyer told me. “They want answers and additional information in order to see who is accountable for this tragedy and who played a role in their daughter’s death.”

The action does not name Tesla as a defendant.

KTVU has previously reached out to the other families involved in the tragedy, who have requested privacy.

As of now, no other family has filed a lawsuit.