Fullerton, CA – Two Dead, Five Injured in Tesla Crash on State College Blvd

Fullerton, CA (April 15, 2025) – An early morning crash took the lives of two people and left five others injured after a Tesla collided with a pickup truck and a transit bus, for reasons still being investigated by the police, in Fullerton over the weekend.

The collision occurred on Saturday, April 13, at approximately 6:45 a.m. near the intersection of State College Boulevard and Orangethorpe Avenue. According to the Fullerton Police Department, a white 2018 Tesla Model 3 was headed eastbound on Orangethorpe when it entered the intersection. The Tesla slammed into the passenger side of a 1991 Toyota pickup truck and then struck an Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) bus on its driver’s side.

Officers arrived to find a chaotic scene: the Tesla was severely damaged in the middle of the intersection, while the pickup truck and bus each sustained moderate damage. Inside the Tesla, the female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

Five passengers aboard the OCTA bus suffered minor injuries and were taken to area hospitals for evaluation and care. The drivers of both the pickup truck and the bus stayed at the crash site and are fully cooperating with investigators.

Authorities are still working to determine what factors may have contributed to the crash, including the possibility of impairment.

We send our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and we hope those injured heal quickly.

Car Accidents in California

Traffic collisions remain a major concern across California, a state with some of the nation’s busiest roadways. In 2022, more than 4,000 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents in California alone. Urban intersections, like those in Orange County, are especially high-risk due to congestion and red-light violations. Many crashes in the state result in severe or fatal outcomes—especially when excessive speed or traffic signal violations are involved. When it comes to auto collisions, here are some key issues victims and their families may face in the aftermath:

• Red-Light Violations: These are among the leading causes of intersection-related crashes. When a vehicle runs a red light, it can cause high-impact side collisions, which often lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
• Public Transit Involvement: When a public bus is involved, liability can become more complicated. There may be multiple agencies and insurance providers involved, which can slow the claims process.
• Vehicle Defects or Malfunctions: Electric vehicles like Teslas can sometimes involve unique mechanical or software issues. Investigators may need to examine whether the vehicle’s autonomous features were active during the crash.
• Survivor Guilt and Trauma: Surviving victims often experience lasting emotional trauma, especially in accidents involving fatalities. Therapy and counseling may become necessary for recovery.
• Insurance Adjuster Tactics: Victims may face pressure from insurers trying to close the case quickly and for less than its worth. Having legal support can make a major difference in receiving fair compensation.

If you lost a loved one in a crash in the area, don’t wait. Contact our Fullerton wrongful death attorneys at The Law Offices of John C. Ye as soon as possible. Timing is critical after a collision—evidence can fade, and insurance companies may begin working against your claim immediately. Our attorneys can step in quickly to protect your rights and advocate for everything you’re entitled to under the law.

The Law Offices of John C. Ye is ready to help you take that first step toward justice and recovery. Our firm has secured more than $300 million for injured clients throughout Southern California. We offer consultations at no charge, and you pay nothing unless we win for you. Our multilingual staff is here to support clients in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Korean. When you call us, you’ll speak with someone who understands your situation and knows how to help. Call us today at 866-771-9467 to discuss your case. Let’s fight together—because you shouldn’t have to do this alone.

Note: Our law office uses outside sources in the creation of this post. We have not independently verified all of the facts surrounding this incident, therefore, if you do find any information that is not correct, please contact the Law Offices of John C. Ye so that we can update the post to reflect the most accurate information available. We will remove a post upon request.

Disclaimer: This post is intended to be informational and is not a solicitation for business. The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident, please get medical attention right away. The photo used in this post was not taken at the actual scene of this accident.