A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in San Jose on Tuesday morning when a mother and her 1-year-old daughter were killed in a fiery four-vehicle crash on northbound Highway 87. Authorities say the collision, which involved two Teslas, a Lexus, and a Toyota, erupted into flames shortly after 11 a.m. just north of Curtner Avenue, creating a scene of devastation and causing major traffic delays for several hours. The incident has left a family shattered and a community grieving.
The victims, 29-year-old Ivana Balistreri and her young daughter Lilliana, affectionately known as “Lilly Bean,” were inside the Lexus when the crash occurred. According to the California Highway Patrol, the vehicle carried three occupants. Ivana’s fiancé, who was driving the Lexus, survived the collision but was rushed to the hospital with injuries that have not yet been disclosed. Another driver involved in the pileup was also hospitalized, while the remaining motorists were evaluated at the scene.
Firefighters with the San Jose Fire Department arrived to find heavy flames fueled by the wrecked vehicles, including intense burning caused by the Teslas’ lithium-ion batteries. Despite the dangerous conditions, crews managed to contain and extinguish the fire. Battalion Chief Bennett Yendery noted that while electric vehicle battery fires are challenging, firefighters were able to handle the situation without unusual complications. The charred remains of the vehicles painted a grim picture of the violent impact that claimed two innocent lives.
CHP Officer Ross Lee said the driver of the Toyota stayed at the scene, cooperated fully with investigators, and was able to drive away with rear-end damage. Authorities say there is currently no evidence of impairment, though the cause of the crash remains under active investigation. Officers are reviewing witness statements, vehicle data, and roadway evidence as they work to determine how the chain reaction began.
For Ivana’s loved ones, the loss is immeasurable. Relatives shared that she came from a large Sicilian family and had recently become engaged. In an online fundraiser, they described how the young mother and her daughter brought light and love into every room they entered. “Two bright, innocent, loving souls were taken from us far too soon,” the family wrote, noting that little Lilliana would have celebrated her second birthday on December 16.
As investigators continue to search for answers, the community is rallying around the grieving family, offering prayers, support, and donations. The tragedy serves as a painful reminder of how quickly lives can change and how deeply moments on the road can impact families forever.
