A driver was killed early Friday when their Tesla Model 3 veered off northbound Highway 17 south of Lark Avenue in Los Gatos, crashing into a tree and bursting into flames. The single occupant remained trapped inside as the vehicle became fully engulfed in fire. Authorities are investigating the cause, with unknowns including whether autonomous features were active or if drugs and alcohol played a role.
The incident unfolded around 12:30 a.m. on December 19, 2025, on the northbound side of Highway 17, just south of Lark Avenue in Los Gatos, California. According to Officer Alicia Moreno of the California Highway Patrol's San Jose office, the Tesla Model 3, carrying a single occupant, swerved into the right shoulder for an unknown reason before continuing down an embankment and colliding with a tree.
The vehicle then caught fire and was fully engulfed in flames, with the driver still inside. The motorist was declared dead at the scene. "The Tesla caught fire and became fully-engulfed with the driver inside," Moreno stated.
Investigators do not yet know if the Tesla's autonomous driving capabilities were in use at the time of the crash, nor whether drugs or alcohol were factors. The driver's identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin by the Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office.
CHP officers responded by taking measurements, collecting evidence, and towing the completely burnt vehicle for further examination. "We look in-depth, because somebody lost their life," Moreno said. "It is our responsibility to make sure we document and make sure we collect all the information we can." Authorities plan to obtain any available data from Tesla to aid the ongoing investigation.
All lanes of northbound Highway 17 have since reopened. This solo vehicle collision highlights the scrutiny often applied to Tesla incidents involving fire and potential autonomous systems, though details remain preliminary.
