San Jose driver charged with murder after fatal high-speed Tesla crash

Prosecutors in San Jose are seeking to deny bail for Zachary Chernicky, 31, who is charged with two counts of murder following a high-speed collision in December 2025. Chernicky allegedly drove his Tesla Model Y at speeds exceeding 140 mph on Highway 87, striking a Lexus carrying 29-year-old Ivana Balistreri and her 1-year-old daughter, Lilliana.

The impact caused a massive fire that trapped the mother and child inside the vehicle. While witnesses attempted to rescue the victims, the intensity of the flames prevented them from reaching the pair. Chernicky reportedly sustained only minor injuries and, according to prosecutors, did not attempt to assist at the scene, instead watching the rescue efforts from the roadside.

Witnesses reported seeing Chernicky driving recklessly prior to the crash, with some suggesting he may have been racing another vehicle. A pre-trial release hearing is scheduled at the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice, where prosecutors will argue that Chernicky poses a threat to the community.