Witness to Cybertruck Crash That Killed 3 Students Recalls ‘Ball of Flame’ and Desperate Rescue Attempt

A young witness to a devastating Cybertruck crash in California on Thanksgiving, which resulted in the tragic deaths of three of his friends, recounted the horrifying scene to police. He described seeing a “ball of flame” and his desperate attempts to rescue the passengers trapped in the burning vehicle.

Recently released bodycam footage reveals the chaotic moments following the crash, which involved 19-year-old Soren Dixon, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Dixon crashed the Cybertruck into a retaining wall, leading to the deaths of himself and his friends, Jack Nelson, 20, and Krysta Tsukahara, 19.

Matthew Riordan, a friend who was driving behind the Cybertruck, vividly recalled the moment he turned the corner and saw the vehicle engulfed in flames. “I turned the corner, and I just see a car in a ball of flame,” he told an officer at the scene.

The Cybertruck belonged to Dixon's grandparents, and upon witnessing the wreck, Riordan immediately stopped his car and rushed to help. “I just saw the back of it, and I knew it was the Cybertruck. So, I stopped, and I got out. I tried to open the doors, but everything was so damaged,” he explained. In a frantic effort to save his friends, he grabbed a stick and broke the front and back windows. He managed to pull Jordan Miller, 20, from the smoldering wreckage, but the flames were too intense, and he could not reach the others in time.

Tragically, all three deceased passengers had alcohol and cocaine in their systems at the time of the crash. When questioned by police, Riordan confirmed that while Dixon did not appear capable of driving legally, he seemed physically able to do so. “Legally, no. Physically, from a visible standpoint, yes,” he stated.

In addition to the bodycam footage, hundreds of photos were released, showcasing the horrific aftermath of the crash. The three friends succumbed to asphyxia due to smoke inhalation, and responders were unable to extinguish the flames until firefighters arrived on the scene.

Another police video captured the moment when Miller's father arrived at the crash site, unaware of the tragedy that had unfolded. After learning that his son was the only survivor, the father was visibly shaken. “What?” he exclaimed, struggling to comprehend the situation. Miller was taken to the hospital with severe burns and underwent surgery.

“I know the family… People in the car died?” the father asked, sighing heavily as the officer confirmed the heartbreaking news. “S—t! I gotta go,” he said, overwhelmed by the devastating reality.

According to reports, Dixon had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.195%, which is more than twice the legal limit. The speeding Cybertruck veered off the road and crashed into a retaining wall, igniting a fire that would claim the lives of three young individuals.

All four occupants were graduates of Piedmont High School and had returned home for the holiday break. The California Highway Patrol confirmed in a preliminary report that a combination of driving under the influence of drugs and excessive speed were the primary causes of the crash.

The autopsy report indicated that the three friends died from asphyxia due to smoke inhalation, with burns also being a significant factor in their accidental deaths. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving and the devastating consequences it can have on young lives.