In late April, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas faced every parent’s worst nightmare. His son, Alijah Arenas , an 18-year-old basketball phenom committed to USC, was involved in a terrifying car crash while driving a Tesla Cybertruck. The vehicle struck a tree and a fire hydrant in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley and burst into flames, leaving Alijah trapped inside. Now, Gilbert has shared new details answering the burning question of what led to the horrific crash.
Gilbert Arenas revealed the reason behind Alijah Arenas’ life-threatening accident
The crash happened around 5 a.m. on April 24. Alijah Arenas, who was behind the wheel, inhaled a large amount of smoke and had to be placed in a medically induced coma. Fortunately, he didn’t suffer any broken bones. He was released from the hospital six days later and is now recovering at home under close medical watch. But the story behind the crash has raised troubling questions about the Tesla Cybertruck’s safety.
Appearing on the All The Smoke podcast, Gilbert Arenas explained what really happened. “The car malfunctioned on him. The steering wheel went limp and ran him right into a tree,” he said, rejecting speculation that his son had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Arenas added that Alijah was on the phone with 911 for nearly 10 minutes while the vehicle burned around him. “He couldn’t break the window,” he said. “Physically, he said he was trying to kick the window in and couldn’t. If you’re a parent and your teen has this car, you might want to put a hammer in that joint.” The Tesla Cybertruck's shatter-resistant, bulletproof glass, marketed as a selling point, made it nearly impossible for Alijah to escape.
According to a family statement shared by TMZ, the rescue effort came down to sheer determination and luck. One good Samaritan recounted hearing banging from inside the car: “I couldn’t see anything because the smoke was so thick.” Eventually, a slight crack in one of the windows allowed bystanders to pry it open and pull Alijah out. “The car was on fire. We just knew we had to get him out.”
Gilbert revealed how emotional it was to see his son alive after the ordeal. “Once he got his personality back… our jokes came back and I’m like, ‘Damn boy, you almost went extra crispy on me man.’” He said he used the moment to remind Alijah of how rare second chances are. “You’re a lucky one to see this,” he told him. “Most people don’t get to see the flowers and how everyone reacts when something happens… You can’t take this sh-t for granted.”
Since the crash, Tesla has not issued a public statement about the alleged malfunction. Meanwhile, the Arenas family is focused on Alijah’s recovery.
Also Read: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder (05/20): Box score, player stats, game summary and more
Alijah’s basketball career is still on track, and with USC on the horizon. He’s carrying a powerful life experience that could shape his future both on and off the court.
Gilbert Arenas revealed the reason behind Alijah Arenas’ life-threatening accident
The crash happened around 5 a.m. on April 24. Alijah Arenas, who was behind the wheel, inhaled a large amount of smoke and had to be placed in a medically induced coma. Fortunately, he didn’t suffer any broken bones. He was released from the hospital six days later and is now recovering at home under close medical watch. But the story behind the crash has raised troubling questions about the Tesla Cybertruck’s safety.
Appearing on the All The Smoke podcast, Gilbert Arenas explained what really happened. “The car malfunctioned on him. The steering wheel went limp and ran him right into a tree,” he said, rejecting speculation that his son had fallen asleep at the wheel.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJ2UCs_zkZB/ https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJ2UCs_zkZB/
Arenas added that Alijah was on the phone with 911 for nearly 10 minutes while the vehicle burned around him. “He couldn’t break the window,” he said. “Physically, he said he was trying to kick the window in and couldn’t. If you’re a parent and your teen has this car, you might want to put a hammer in that joint.” The Tesla Cybertruck's shatter-resistant, bulletproof glass, marketed as a selling point, made it nearly impossible for Alijah to escape.
Alijah Arenas is in a coma after crashing his father’s cybertruck - crash scene photos show the force pic.twitter.com/AFOHWIFSY7
— Richard Winton (@LAcrimes) April 25, 2025
According to a family statement shared by TMZ, the rescue effort came down to sheer determination and luck. One good Samaritan recounted hearing banging from inside the car: “I couldn’t see anything because the smoke was so thick.” Eventually, a slight crack in one of the windows allowed bystanders to pry it open and pull Alijah out. “The car was on fire. We just knew we had to get him out.”
Gilbert revealed how emotional it was to see his son alive after the ordeal. “Once he got his personality back… our jokes came back and I’m like, ‘Damn boy, you almost went extra crispy on me man.’” He said he used the moment to remind Alijah of how rare second chances are. “You’re a lucky one to see this,” he told him. “Most people don’t get to see the flowers and how everyone reacts when something happens… You can’t take this sh-t for granted.”
Since the crash, Tesla has not issued a public statement about the alleged malfunction. Meanwhile, the Arenas family is focused on Alijah’s recovery.
Also Read: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder (05/20): Box score, player stats, game summary and more
Alijah’s basketball career is still on track, and with USC on the horizon. He’s carrying a powerful life experience that could shape his future both on and off the court.
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