A California man has been charged with two counts of murder after prosecutors alleged he was driving his Tesla at speeds exceeding 140 mph before crashing into the rear of a vehicle stopped in traffic, causing a fiery collision that killed a young mother and her 2-year-old daughter.
According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, Zachary Chernicky, 31, is accused of causing the fatal crash that occurred on Dec. 2, 2025, along northbound Highway 87 in Santa Clara County.
Prosecutors Detail Tesla’s Speed Before Crash
Investigators said data collected from the Tesla showed that Chernicky was traveling at extremely high speeds in the moments leading up to the collision.
According to prosecutors, the vehicle was traveling:
- 142 mph approximately 15 seconds before impact
- 126 mph about five seconds before the crash
- 102 mph at the moment it struck the victims’ vehicle
Authorities noted that the posted speed limit on that section of Highway 87 is 65 mph under normal driving conditions.
Mother and Toddler Were Stopped in Traffic
Prosecutors said Ivana Balistreri, 29, was driving her Lexus when traffic came to a stop on the highway at around 10 a.m.
Authorities allege that Chernicky’s Tesla slammed into the rear of Balistreri’s vehicle while it was stationary.
The impact was so severe that Balistreri’s Lexus was forced into the vehicle ahead of it, causing extensive crash damage and a fire involving multiple vehicles.
According to the district attorney’s office, Balistreri and her daughter Lilliana, who was just two weeks away from her second birthday, became trapped and died in the fire.
Driver Sustained Only Minor Injuries
While the victims were killed in the collision, prosecutors said Chernicky suffered only minor injuries.
Authorities said he later made a full recovery.
District Attorney Calls Speeding Equivalent to Using a Weapon
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said the extreme speed involved in the crash justified the murder charges.
In a statement, Rosen compared driving at more than 140 mph to firing a weapon into a crowd, saying that at such speeds, the vehicle itself becomes the deadly weapon.
He emphasized that motorists who choose to drive at such dangerous speeds can be held criminally responsible when their actions result in deaths.
Family Pays Tribute to Victims
Following the tragedy, relatives established a GoFundMe campaign in memory of Ivana Balistreri and her daughter.
The fundraiser described Balistreri as one of the kindest and purest people her family had ever known.
It also remembered little Lilliana, affectionately called “Lilly Bean,” as a joyful child who brought happiness to those around her.
Family members wrote that losing both mother and daughter had devastated the family beyond words and described them as two innocent lives taken far too soon.
Murder Charges and Court Proceedings
Chernicky was arraigned last week and was ordered to remain in custody without bail.
He has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Ivana Balistreri and Lilliana.
According to prosecutors, he faces significant prison time if convicted.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 25, as the criminal case moves forward.
