Zachary Chernicky faces murder charges after a high-speed crash killed a mother and her young daughter on Highway 87.
Zachary Chernicky was arrested and charged with two counts of murder following a fiery multi-vehicle collision on December 2, 2025. The 31-year-old San Jose man was driving his Tesla at 142 mph—nearly double the 65 mph speed limit—when he struck the back of a stopped Lexus. The impact caused the Lexus and two Teslas to burst into flames, killing 30-year-old Ivana Balistreri and her 2-year-old daughter, Lilliana. While Chernicky suffered only minor injuries, District Attorney Jeff Rosen characterized the high-speed collision as a form of murder. Rosen stated that a driver traveling at 140 mph acts as a "shooter" with their car serving as the "bullet." Chernicky was arraigned on Tuesday and remanded to jail without bail. He faces significant prison time if convicted for the crash that occurred near Curtner Avenue. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 25.