Tesla driver killed in fiery crash on Highway 168 identified by Fresno Coroner

The driver of a Tesla killed Wednesday night after a collision on Highway 168 just east of Clovis was identified Monday by the Fresno County Coroner.

The victim was Billy Copple, 32, of Prather.

When the crash took place, the California Highway Patrol reported that Copple was eastbound on 168 about 10:30 p.m. His car was about one-half mile east of of Shepherd Avenue, where 168 narrows to one lane in each direction.

Copple reportedly allowed the Tesla to veer into oncoming traffic. It collided head-on with a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by a 59-year-old Prather man and caught fire.

Copple was pronounced dead at the scene, while the Silverado driver was transported to a Fresno-area hospital with major but non-life threatening injuries, according to CHP. Caltrans blocked both the east and west lanes of the highway near the area.