Tesla driver dies crashing into fire truck at scene of wreck, California officials say

A Tesla driver died after crashing into a fire truck stopped on Interstate 680 near Walnut Creek, California firefighters reported.

It’s not known if the Tesla was in self-driving mode in the 4 a.m. crash Saturday, Feb. 18, KRON reported.

A passenger in the Tesla and four firefighters also were injured, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District said in a Twitter post.

The fire truck was blocking traffic lanes to protect emergency crews working on an earlier wreck, the agency said.

The crash took place near Treat Boulevard in Walnut Creek, KTVU reported.

The Tesla driver died at the scene and an injured passenger had to be extricated, firefighters said. Four firefighters also went to a hospital to be checked.

The Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office identified the Tesla driver as Genesis Mendoza Martinez, 31, of Pittsburg, California, KTVU reported on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

“Slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles,” firefighters wrote on Twitter.

Walnut Creek is a city of 70,000 people about 25 miles east of San Francisco.

This story was originally published February 19, 2023 at 10:12 AM with the headline "Tesla driver dies crashing into fire truck at scene of wreck, California officials say."