Overview
- Alijah Arenas, an 18-year-old USC basketball recruit, crashed his Tesla Cybertruck into a fire hydrant and tree in Los Angeles on April 24, causing the vehicle to catch fire.
- Gilbert Arenas stated in a May 19 podcast that a steering malfunction caused his son to lose control of the vehicle, reigniting scrutiny of Tesla's safety features.
- Alijah was trapped inside the burning Cybertruck for at least 10 minutes, unable to break its bulletproof windows, before bystanders rescued him through a small window crack.
- Hospitalized for smoke inhalation and placed in a medically induced coma, Alijah has since recovered and is preparing to resume basketball activities.
- The incident has raised concerns about Cybertruck design, including emergency escape measures, though no formal legal action has been announced.