Parents of Piedmont teen who died in Cybertruck crash file lawsuit against driver's family
PIEDMONT, Calif. (KGO) -- Leaning on each other, Carl and Noelle Tsukahara opened up about their 19-year-old daughter, Krysta, and everything they miss.
"So many things. Her kindness. Her heart. Krysta was the kind of person who always put others in front of herself," said Carl Tsukahara. "She was also very talented. Very creative. Loved her family, loved her friends. Her friends had so many beautiful things to say about her."
"Our family is not complete," said Noelle Tsukahara about her daughter.
The Tsukaharas are speaking to honor Krysta's memory and get answers.
RELATED: Speed, intoxication caused deadly Cybertruck crash that killed 3 Piedmont High grads: CHP
"It's unfortunate. It's a little bit cruel that we have been unable to get this information through normal means, at least that is my perspective, our perspective about this. We are put in this situation where we have to take this course of action," said Carl Tsukahara.
It's been five months since Krysta Tsukahara was killed, along with two of her friends, over Thanksgiving break. They were all sophomores in college. The Cybertruck they were in slammed into a retaining wall and a tree. The car burst into flames.
"We just want to understand what went down. What took place? And there are so many holes in that, and it is dreadful for us," said Carl Tsukahara.
The Tsukaharas are filing a lawsuit in hopes to get clarity on the night of the crash.
RELATED: Community in mourning holds vigil for teens killed, injured in Cybertruck crash in Piedmont
"The lawsuit is against the driver. His estate and the owner of the vehicle, of the Cybertruck. The lawsuit is to give us some traction in getting answers for the family," said Roger Dreyer, the Tsukaharas' attorney. "The vehicles are engineered, such as they have lots of data and information inside of them that will recount what happened before and what happened during."
Toxicology reports show the victims all had alcohol and drugs in their systems when they died. One of the passengers survived.
"Clearly Mr. Dixon was severely intoxicated on drugs," said Dreyer. "Legally his parents are not responsible for his conduct, because he is driving the car, not the parents. But, the issue is how did he get into the condition he was in before. That is the issue, and we can't get that answer, absent following this lawsuit."
RELATED: 3 recent Piedmont High graduates killed, 1 injured in fiery Cybertruck crash: source
One of the questions they have is who gave the teens drugs.
"All that, so you can imagine why people are not coming forward. The important question is to ask them that and the police. They can't prosecute Dixon. He is dead. Why is the investigation still going? They are obviously looking for some information, and there is obviously something else out there they are looking at don't know what it is," said Dreyer.
The autopsy report confirmed Krysta Sukahara did not suffer physical injuries in the crash. Her death was caused by her inability to exit the vehicle as flames consumed it.
"It's horrible. Our daughter died a terrible death. That is very clear. We can't bring her back no matter how hard we would like to, so we are just trying to figure out what happened," said Carl Tsukahara.
On Friday night, the family of the 19-year-old driver of the Cybertruck who also died released the following statement in response to the Tsukahara's lawsuit:
"The grief experienced by all the families involved is profound and immeasurable. The Dixon and Patterson families extend heartfelt condolences to the families involved and to the entire Piedmont community. While fully respecting the Tsukaharas' desire to seek answers, it is important to note that full cooperation has been provided throughout this investigation and will continue moving forward."
