Bride-to-be, 28, among three killed in horrific fiery ejection crash in California

A bride-to-be was among three people killed when a Tesla slammed into a tree and erupted into flames in a horrific California crash.

Kailauna Viola Mills, 28, of Roseville, died alongside Charles Anthony Cameron, 30, of Sacramento, and Alejandra Mendoza, 28, of Sacramento, authorities said.

The wreck happened around 10:40 p.m. Saturday on westbound Serrano Parkway, west of Terracina Drive in El Dorado Hills, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A 2024 Tesla Model Y had crashed into a tree and was completely engulfed in flames when officers arrived.

Cameron, who was a passenger, was thrown from the Tesla and died at the scene. Mendoza and Mills were found inside the burning vehicle after firefighters extinguished the flames, according to the CHP.

Mill’s fiancé’s mother, Jennifer Roth, paid tribute to the young woman in a heartbreaking Facebook post.
She said: “My son Elijah’s fiancé Kailauna passed away.

“To say we are heartbroken doesn’t come close to describing the pain we are feeling. She was the missing puzzle piece that we didn’t even know was missing.”

Roth said Mills had become part of the family from the moment Elijah brought her into their lives.

“She was family the moment Elijah introduced her to us. I will forever cherish our lunch dates without the boys, our movie dates, dress shopping and forever grieve all that was supposed to be,” she wrote.

“We Love and miss you,” Roth added.

Mills was engaged to Elijah and was due to marry him next April, according to her family. She worked in the medical field and had been living in Arizona while visiting the Sacramento region to spend time with family.

She was riding in the Tesla with friends when the crash occurred, her uncle Richard Mills said.

Richard said Mills, who was affectionately known as “Lala,” had a reputation for putting others before herself.

“She had the most golden heart. She would give you her last dollar. She would make sure you were fed before anyone else. She was an absolute angel,” he said.

The tragedy has since drawn mourners to Serrano Parkway, where a growing memorial has formed at the site of the crash.

Richard said Mills’ family had not yet visited the crash scene but was grateful for the support and messages they had received following her death.

“It was just really really hard… gut-wrenching. We’ve just really tried to come together, all of us… all of the strength that we have,” he said.

A fourth person, another 28-year-old woman from Sacramento, survived the crash, authorities said. She was able to get out of the vehicle and was taken to a hospital with major injuries.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation. 

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