A Tesla Semi was involved in a fatal crash that killed two people on June 28, 2026, in Dayton, Nevada.
Tesla
Tesla’s new electric Semi was involved in a crash earlier this week that killed two people, the first known fatality involving the automaker’s newest model, which just entered regular production this year.
According to reports from the Nevada Highway Patrol and the Lyon County Sheriff’s Department, the 10-ton Tesla truck struck a small, vintage Volkswagen Beetle at an intersection on US 50 in Dayton, Nevada, around 7:20 a.m. local time. Both occupants of the Beetle, who were not named in initial reports, died from injuries sustained in the crash, Trooper James LaRose said. Forbes. The driver of the Tesla truck was not injured.
The cause of the crash, which occurred about 30 miles southwest of Tesla’s Nevada Gigafactory, which makes the Semi, has not yet been determined, LaRose said. However, a Post on Facebook from the Sheriff’s Department said, “preliminary statements received at the scene indicate that the driver of the pickup truck may have fallen asleep.”
Tesla is counting on the Semi to expand its vehicle sales beyond the consumer market and take on diesel truck giants like Kenworth, Volvo and Daimler with an electric model capable of hauling 60,000-pound loads up to 500 miles per charge. The company has yet to disclose Semi sales so far this year, but may include them in a quarterly release due on July 2.
The company says the truck is equipped with the latest safety features, including 10 cameras to monitor the surrounding area and, according to media reports, driver monitoring system. Typically, such systems are designed to detect when the person behind the wheel is distracted or asleep. “The Semi comes standard with active safety features that combine with advanced engine and brake controls to deliver traction and stability in all conditions,” according to Tesla’s website.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the crash.
The Highway Patrol’s LaRose was unable to confirm whether the Tesla was carrying cargo at the time of the crash. Fully loaded, the electric cab and trailer can weigh up to 82,000 pounds – 40 times the weight of the VW.
The crash closed a section of US 50 for about two hours, according to police. Investigators expect to release more details early next week, LaRose said. The crash was reported earlier by The Record-Courier of Minden, Nevada, and local news site CarsonNow.
