The three former Piedmont High School students from the Class of 2023 who were killed in Wednesday’s crash were identified on Friday. Soren Dixon, a sophomore at USC; Jack Nelson, a sophomore at the University of Colorado, Boulder; and Krysta Tsukahara, a sophomore at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta all perished when the Tesla Cybertruck they were in crashed and caught fire early Wednesday morning. The vehicle hit a curb and then a retaining wall around 3 a.m., wedging up against a tree on Hampton Road between Sea View and King avenues. One of the vehicle’s occupants, Jordan Miller, was pulled from the burning car by another student at the scene and survived, but remained in the hospital on Friday. All were longtime friends home for the Thanksgiving holiday break.
By Friday evening a memorial site to the crash victims on Hampton Avenue was covered with photographs, flowers, and tokens of remembrance. Mourners filed past all day long, stopping to pay their respects.
Vigil for crash victims draws hundreds on Friday evening
Friends of the victims’ families organized a candlelight vigil in Piedmont Park that drew hundreds of students, teachers, families, and residents to the center of town on Friday evening. Former Piedmont Community Church youth leader Scott Kail made brief remarks, asking those gathered to care for each other moving forward.
PUSD responds to tragedy
“The loss of young lives is a profound tragedy, made even more difficult during the holiday season. Let us come together as a community to support one another, hold space for grief, and extend care for those impacted by this devastating loss,” said Piedmont Unified School District’s Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hawn in an email to the school community on Wednesday.
On Friday the Piedmont High School principal and assistant principal sent a notice to families about the week ahead.
We continue to be deeply saddened by the tragedy that took place in our community early Wednesday morning. The media has reported this tragedy involved four Piedmont High School graduates, three of whom lost their lives, and a fourth person remains hospitalized.
We know that there are few things that can impact a community harder than the loss of a young person, and we mourn as well. At this time, we ask that everyone respect the privacy of the families as they struggle through these most difficult of times.
On Monday, our counseling and wellness center staff will be ready to support our students. Any student who needs these supports can report to their counselor or wellness center. Any staff who would like additional support processing this tragedy may also use the wellness center. Please arrange coverage if needed with a colleague.
November 29 email