alijah Arenas, USC Recruit, Stable After Cybertruck Crash
Alijah Arenas, the highly touted Chatsworth High School basketball star committed to the University of Southern California, was involved in a serious single-vehicle accident early Thursday morning.the incident involved a Tesla Cybertruck and occurred in Reseda, Calif.
The Incident
- Location: The crash took place near the intersection of Corbin Avenue and Blythe Street in Reseda.
- Time: The accident occurred at approximately 4:56 a.m.
- Vehicle: Arenas was driving a Tesla Cybertruck.
- Circumstances: The vehicle reportedly lost control, striking a fire hydrant and a tree.
Did You Know?
The Tesla Cybertruck,known for its distinctive angular design and stainless steel exoskeleton,has generated meaningful attention and debate as its unveiling. Its unique construction presents both engineering challenges and safety considerations.
Immediate Aftermath
According to Los Angeles Police Department Officer Rosario Cervantes, the 18-year-old driver, Alijah Arenas, was extracted from the wreckage and transported to a local hospital. He was reported to be in stable condition upon arrival.
A source familiar with the situation confirmed that drugs and alcohol were not factors in the crash.
Eyewitness Accounts and Visual Evidence
TMZ obtained video footage of the scene shortly after the crash. The video depicts a sheared fire hydrant spewing water onto the damaged Cybertruck as individuals attempted to assist the driver. Arenas is later seen lying face down in the street, surrounded by shallow water, while someone repeatedly urges him to wake up.
Photos obtained by news outlets reveal the extent of the damage to the Cybertruck,which was wrapped around a tree. A crumpled “no parking” sign was wedged between the vehicle and the tree. The windshield and driver’s side windows were shattered, and a fragment of the fire hydrant was lodged beneath the damaged wheel well.
Pro Tip: Vehicle Safety
Always ensure your vehicle is equipped with the latest safety features and that you are familiar with their operation. Regular maintainance and adherence to traffic laws are crucial for preventing accidents.
Subsequent Events
Hours after the initial crash, the Cybertruck was being towed from the scene when it caught fire at the tow yard. The Los Angeles Fire Hazard Mat team responded to manage the hazardous materials incident.
Family and Community Response
Alijah Arenas is the son of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas. Gilbert Arenas canceled the streaming of a new episode of his online show on Thursday. Alijah’s mother, Laura Govan, posted on Instagram shortly after the accident, requesting all your … prayers.
A Promising career
Alijah arenas is a top-10 recruit in the 2025 class. He led Chatsworth High School to the CIF Division II state championship game in March. Arenas concluded his high school career as the all-time City Section scoring leader, amassing over 3,000 points. He recently participated in the McDonald’s All-American game.
Arenas was expected to play a significant role as a freshman at USC,having chosen the Trojans over other prominent basketball programs,including Arizona,Kansas,and Kentucky.
USC’s Reaction
USC coach eric Musselman addressed the incident in a statement on social media, saying:
Our thoughts and prayers are with Alijah and his family following this morning’s accident. Please keep him, his teammates and friends, and the entire Arenas family in your prayers.
Eric Musselman, USC coach
Additional Details
Chatsworth students were not in school Thursday, as it was Armenian Genocide Memorial Day.
