Software Developer Charged with Murder in Fatal Crash

A startup founder from Silicon Valley is facing murder charges after a tragic incident where he allegedly drove his Tesla over 140 mph on a California highway. This incident resulted in a devastating crash that claimed the lives of a mother and her young daughter.

Zachary Czernicki, aged 31, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder related to the collision which happened on December 2, 2025, in San Jose, California. According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, data retrieved from the vehicle indicated that Czernicki was driving at 142 mph just 15 seconds prior to the crash, reached 196 mph five seconds before, and was still moving at around 162 mph when he struck a Lexus that had come to a stop in traffic.

Following his arraignment on Tuesday, Czernicki was held without bail and is due back in court on August 25. The California Highway Patrol noted that his arrest was the outcome of a thorough investigation conducted alongside the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, expressing hope that this step would be significant in seeking justice for the grieving families.

Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen remarked, “The law states that firing into a crowd is murder. When someone is driving 140 miles per hour, that driver is the shooter, and that car is the bullet.”

The collision caused the Lexus to catch fire, resulting in the fatalities of Ivana Balistreri, 29, and her 1-year-old daughter, Liliana, who was seated in a child seat behind her mother. Reports indicated that Liliana was just weeks away from her second birthday. Balistreri’s fiancé, who was driving the Lexus, survived the accident.

In addition, Czernicki’s Tesla also collided with another Tesla and a Toyota, igniting three vehicles in total. Prosecutors stressed that the case centers on Czernicki’s reckless speeding rather than the type of vehicle involved.

A professional profile describes Czernicki as the founder of CHURRDJ, a tech startup based in San Jose that creates software for DJ equipment. Previously, he had roles in technical support at companies like Apple and Mistral AI.

According to Deputy District Attorney Marisa McCune, “Some media headlines suggest ‘Tesla crash leaves family dead,’ but that misses the crux of the matter.” She added that “Czernicki caused the accident by driving over 140 miles per hour.” This case serves as a stark reminder about the dangers of speeding, with CHP urging drivers to take the issue seriously and understand the risks involved.