Arrest For Fiery Crash That Killed Mother, Baby Made In South Bay: Police

SAN JOSE, CA — A Tesla driver was arrested Monday more than seven months after a fiery Highway 87 crash that killed a San Jose mother and her 1-year-old daughter, the California Highway Patrol announced.

CHP said the driver of one of the Tesla’s, Zachary Chernicky from San Jose, was at fault for the crash. Officers said they arrested Chernicky on Monday.

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The crash happened Dec. 2, 2025, on northbound Highway 87 near Capitol Expressway. CHP said two Teslas were among four vehicles involved in the collision, and both electric vehicles caught fire.

The victims were identified as 29-year-old Ivana Balistreri and her daughter, Lilliana, who were passengers in a Lexus that also caught fire.

Balistreri's family described the pair as "two bright, innocent, loving souls" whose deaths "destroyed our family in a way words can barely express," according to a GoFundMe.

Following what CHP described as a comprehensive investigation conducted with the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, officers arrested the driver believed responsible for the crash on July 13.

"While nothing can bring back those who were lost, we hope this arrest represents an important step toward the justice the victims' family deserves as they continue to grieve," CHP said in a statement.

Investigators have not yet released the suspect's identity or announced what charges were filed.

In the days after the crash, Balistreri's family launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral and legal expenses. The fundraiser remembered Ivana as "one of the purest spirits we have ever known," adding that she "never judged, never gossiped, and loved everyone around her with her whole heart." Family members also remembered Lilliana, affectionately known as "Lilly Bean," saying her "smile, her sweetness, and her light will stay with us forever."

CHP said investigators remained committed to pursuing accountability long after the crash scene was cleared.

"When tragedy strikes our community, we don't stop at the scene," the agency said. "We remain committed to conducting thorough investigations, pursuing accountability, and seeking justice for victims and their loved ones."

The agency also used the arrest to remind drivers about the dangers of speeding.