A Tesla SUV crashed into the outdoor patio of an Urbane Café in Simi Valley, California, on the afternoon of June 29, 2026, killing a 79-year-old pedestrian and injuring five other people. According to Simi Valley police, the vehicle was traveling through a shopping center parking lot near Tierra Rejada Road and Madera Road when it failed to complete a turn, jumped a curb and struck the woman as she walked on the sidewalk outside the restaurant before slamming into the patio. The driver, a 64-year-old woman, and one of four juvenile passengers in the vehicle were taken to a hospital with injuries described as moderate to minor. Investigators have not determined whether mechanical failure, driver error or speed caused the crash, and police say there is no evidence that drugs or alcohol were involved. The café remained closed under a city safety order after the collision caused structural damage to the building.
ABC News reported that the woman killed, identified by authorities as Virginia Shields of Agoura Hills, was pronounced dead at the scene after becoming trapped beneath the vehicle. NBC Los Angeles further reported that the driver, identified as Nolvia Buezo of Thousand Oaks, suffered a moderate injury and was treated at Los Robles Regional Medical Center, while three of the four juvenile passengers were uninjured and released to family. Simi Valley Police Sgt. Rick Morton said investigators are still working to determine whether the crash was caused by a mechanical problem with the Tesla or driver error, and that speed remains under review. No charges have been announced as the investigation continues.
