Who are Carl Tsukahara and Noelle Tsukahara? Tesla sued by family of Krysta Tsukahara killed in fiery Cybertruck crash

Carl Tsukahara and his wife, Noelle Tsukahara, are the parents of Krysta Tsukahara, a 19-year-old college student who tragically died in a Tesla Cybertruck crash in Piedmont, California, on November 27, 2024.

They are not public figures but became known through their daughter’s case, as they are now at the center of a wrongful death lawsuit against Tesla and the estate of the driver, Soren Dixon, who was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the crash.

Their Daughter’s Death

Krysta was visiting her family over Thanksgiving weekend when the crash happened. The Cybertruck, traveling at high speed, slammed into a tree and burst into flames.

Krysta was alive after the initial impact, but investigators believe she died of smoke inhalation and burns, not from blunt-force trauma. Her parents say she called out for help but was unable to escape because of Tesla’s electric door design, which locks when power shuts off.

Why Carl and Noelle Are Suing Tesla

The lawsuit claims Tesla’s flush door handles and hidden emergency release system trapped Krysta inside. The only way to open the rear doors manually was by pulling a concealed cable hidden under the storage compartment lining — something most passengers would never know about.

Carl and Noelle argue Tesla knew about the risk of entrapment in its vehicles but failed to correct the issue. Their attorney, Roger Dreyer, emphasized: “There was no functioning, accessible manual override or emergency release for her to escape.”

Their Public Statement

In a joint statement, Carl and Noelle said: “Her death was preventable. She was alive after the crash. She called out for help. And she couldn’t get out.”

This statement highlights their belief that Tesla’s design flaw — not just the accident itself — caused their daughter’s death.

Broader Context

Tesla is already under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for door-handle safety concerns. The Cybertruck has had eight recalls in under two years, raising further questions about the company’s design and safety priorities.

Carl and Noelle’s lawsuit is part of a growing wave of legal challenges facing Tesla, including a $243 million jury verdict in Florida earlier in 2024 tied to its Autopilot system.