Door County, WI — July 25, 2025, one person was killed and three others were injured in a car accident at about 10 p.m. on State Highway 42 north of Sturgeon Bay.

Authorities said a Tesla Cybertruck was passing several other vehicles while heading south when it collided with an SUV that was turning left onto County Road P.

A passenger in the Tesla, a 71-year-old woman whose name has not been made public yet, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities.

The Tesla driver and three other passengers were hospitalized with unspecified injuries after the crash, authorities said.

The SUV driver was treated at the scene, according to authorities.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Door County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When serious crashes unfold late at night, they often leave behind more questions than answers. Darkness can cloud not just the road but also the facts, making it even more important that investigators take their time and look beneath the surface. Every decision made in those critical first hours shapes the path to truth, or leaves it obscured.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? With a high-speed collision involving multiple vehicles and a loss of life, it's fair to ask whether law enforcement brought in specialized crash investigators. Was the scene laser-mapped for precise measurements? Did they reconstruct the vehicle paths to determine if the passing maneuver was legal or reckless? And in a multi-passenger crash, did they take separate statements from each survivor to compare accounts? Unfortunately, not every department has officers with advanced training in complex crash dynamics, and there's always the risk that critical details go unrecognized or undocumented when things move too fast.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? When newer or highly computerized vehicles like a Tesla are involved, it's not enough to rely solely on witness statements or visual inspection. Did the vehicle's steering or braking systems function properly? Could a sensor malfunction or autopilot error have contributed to the crash? Sometimes a defect can mimic poor decision-making or delayed reaction, but without a mechanical inspection, those possibilities stay buried. It's vital that any potential system failure is explored, especially when it could affect how the vehicle handled in those final moments.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Modern vehicles are rolling hard drives, particularly ones like the Cybertruck. They store speed, acceleration, braking and even driver input data that can shed light on exactly what happened second by second. Was that data secured before the vehicle was moved or repaired? What about phone records, GPS and dashcam footage? Even traffic cameras near the intersection could tell part of the story. These digital clues are often the most reliable voices when human memory is fogged by trauma or panic.

In cases like this, the surface-level story rarely tells the whole truth. It’s only by pressing into these deeper layers — what was missed, what was recorded and what may have gone wrong behind the scenes — that we begin to understand what really happened.

Key Takeaways:

• It's not enough to glance at the crash site. Serious investigation means detailed reconstructions and multiple perspectives.
• Newer vehicles need more than a visual check; hidden mechanical or system issues could play a big role.
• Digital data can speak louder than witness memory, if it’s collected in time.