Cybertruck crashes into Lone Tree preschool, sparks fire and evacuation

A Cybertruck crashed into Primrose School of Lone Tree just south of Park Meadows Mall around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, turning a normal drop-off into a fire emergency at the child care center on Teddy Lane. The school had 100 people inside at the time, including 78 students and 22 staff members, and every one of them got out safely before crews arrived.

Two children were passengers in the vehicle, and one of them was taken to a hospital for minor injuries. Officials said the driver was a grandparent, and city officials said drugs, alcohol or medical issues were not suspected as contributing factors. The preschool serves children from 6 weeks old through 5 years old, with programs for infants, toddlers, early preschool, preschool, pathways preschool and pre-kindergarten.

Fire crews found the Cybertruck on fire when they reached the scene, and investigators said flames had spread to the building. South Metro Fire Rescue later said the blaze was confined to the exterior and did not make it inside. As a precaution, crews pulled the vehicle away from the building and covered it with a fire blanket while they worked the scene.

Teddy Lane was closed while emergency crews responded, adding another disruption to a busy morning in south metro Douglas County. The school, at 9200 Teddy Lane, operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., a schedule that put the crash squarely in the middle of its busiest arrival window.

Before children can return, fire marshal staff, hazmat personnel and outside contractors are expected to evaluate the school for any contaminants or damage that could make reopening unsafe. South Metro Fire Rescue said that assessment will determine whether the building can reopen at all, even after the fire was kept from spreading through the interior.

The incident underscored a growing concern for first responders and school officials alike: how quickly a vehicle fire involving an electric truck can be controlled, and whether a battery incident could reignite after the flames appear out. For Lone Tree families, the immediate news was that the evacuation worked and the injuries were limited. The next question is how soon the preschool can safely reopen after a crash that mixed traffic danger, fire response and child care safety in one tense morning.