Tesla driver dies after crashing into parked fire truck on freeway

WALNUT CREEK — A driver died after crashing a Tesla sedan into the side of a fire truck that was part of a response to an earlier crash near an Interstate 680 offramp early Saturday, authorities said.

The fatal collision was reported around 3:50 a.m. near the Treat Boulevard offramp from northbound I-680, according to a California Highway Patrol dispatch log.

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District confirmed the crash in a tweet accompanied by photos that was posted Saturday morning. In the post, the fire agency stated that firefighters were tending to a non-injury collision when the driver of a Tesla sedan hit the right side of a ladder truck.

Fire officials said the driver died at the scene, and that a passenger riding in the Tesla had to be cut out of the car and was taken to a local hospital with unspecified injuries. Photos show that the front of the sedan was crushed, and damage to the right side of the fire vehicle.

Four firefighters were also taken to the hospital for evaluation of what were later described as minor injuries, according to the fire district.

“Slow down and move over when approaching vehicles,” the fire district added in its tweet.

Additional information was not available Saturday evening.

Slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles. Truck 1 was struck by a Tesla while blocking I-680 lanes from a previous accident. Driver pronounced dead on-scene; passenger was extricated & transported to hospital. Four firefighters also transported for evaluation. pic.twitter.com/YCGn8We1bK

— Con Fire PIO (@ContraCostaFire) February 18, 2023