Victim in fiery South Lake Tahoe crash remembered

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was a day like any other for Daniel Noah Peterson. A trip to deliver fuel to South Lake Tahoe gas stations before heading home for the night. Doing a job he loved to do.

It was Saturday, September 7, 2019.

Peterson, 36, was driving a tanker truck for Hunt & Sons out of Sacramento along Highway 50 near Elks Club Drive when the driver of a Toyota Prius pulled out in front of him. Peterson swerved to miss the car, causing the truck to slide into the bridge on the Upper Truckee River before exploding.

This week, dental records were able to confirm Peterson was the driver.

For Daniel's dad Dan and the rest of the family, the past 14 days have been something they never imagined they would have to experience. Dan was at home in Grass Valley, California Saturday afternoon when a sheriff's vehicle pulled up and delivered the news his eldest son had died in a fiery crash in South Lake Tahoe.

A lot of love and support have surrounded the Peterson family as they deal with this tragedy, from meals left on the doorstep and trash cans taken out, to words and memories shared.

Dan said his son was a good person, one who enjoyed the outdoors, dirt biking on new trails, enjoying swimming holes in the mountains, and hanging out at home with the love of his life, Brianna "Bri" Joppa. Daniel was a Life Scout in the Boy Scout organization, a little league baseball player, had started to learn to fly and had moved from a job as a CNA at a senior home to driving a truck.

Friday, September 6, Daniel had made his last truck payment and paid the final installment on commercial trucking school. He had just found out Bri was 15 weeks pregnant and they would be parents for the first time.

This was something they were going to tell his parents on Sunday, September 8. News Daniel would never be able to share.

An excerpt from his obituary:

"Words cannot express the grief and shock of this loss. Daniel was one of the most selfless, caring, and giving souls on this earth. He leaves behind so many people that loved him, and for the family, the world has simply stopped. We all just want one more hug, and one more “I love you.”

Daniel is survived by his loving and caring life partner, Bri Joppa; mother, Diane Peterson; father and step-mother Dan and Darolanne Peterson; siblings Christopher
Peterson, Dylan DeLaVega, Darek Peterson, Jacob Peterson, Jennifer Peterson, step-sister Nicolette Hughes and Grandmother, Connie Peterson as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 28 at 2:00 p.m. at Twin Cities Church, 11726 Rough and Ready Highway, Grass Valley, CA.

There have been memorials left at the site of the crash including a white cross. A Go Fund Me page was set up by Daniel's co-workers and donations already exceed the goal of $10,000. Many South Shore residents have contributed to the fund as well, not ever knowing Daniel but being affected by his tragic death.

Dan said he appreciates the kind words everyone has left on the Go Fund Me page, and is overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers. He said the money will go Daniel's unborn child.

The fate of the Prius driver is uncertain at this time. The driver is a 28-year-old male from Reno, Nevada but his name will not be released until an arrest has been made. Charges have been sought through the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office according to CHP Lt. Terry Lowther. Until the DA’s office reviews the complaint and determines to move forward with the CHP recommendations, the name cannot be released, Lowther said.