Authorities Appear To Rule Out Cause For Alijah Arenas Car Crash

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Apr 26, 2025 12:20 PM ET

Five-star USC commit Alijah Arenas, son of former NBA star Gilbert, was involved in a scary car accident earlier this week near Los Angeles. The accident left Arenas in a coma, and he is still recovering after being intubated at the hospital.

As authorities investigate the crash, they've reportedly already ruled out one major factor in the incident.

According to TMZ Sports, LAPD did not see any signs of intoxication. No blood was drawn after the crash because Arenas was intubated at the hospital.

Law enforcement believes that speed was likely the decisive factor in the crash.

Arenas was driving a Tesla Cybertruck, which can go from 0-60 MPH in approximately 2.6 seconds. No criminal investigation is underway, which seems to suggest that Arenas simply lost control of the vehicle while traveling at a high rate of speed.

Arenas was pulled from the vehicle at around 4:55 AM on Thursday morning after hitting a tree. The Cybertruck caught on fire, and bystanders assisted the young basketball player by removing him from the car.

"I remember hearing banging on the car window, but I couldn’t see anything because the smoke was so thick," one bystander said, according to TMZ.

"That’s when I realized someone was inside. I tried to break the window, but it wouldn't give. Then I saw one of the windows was cracked just enough and we used everything we had to bend it and pull him out. The car was on fire. We just knew we had to get him out."

Chatsworth’s Alijah Arenas (0) looks to make a pass during the game against Western Christian in the Capitol City Classic on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 in Salem, Ore.© Abigail Dollins/Statesman Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Arenas did not suffer bodily injuries from the crash, but was intubated due to severe smoke inhalation. A statement from his family noted that he woke up from the medically induced coma he was placed in, and that he asked if anyone had been hurt by writing the question on paper.

Arenas committed to USC earlier this year after reclassifying into the class of 2025. The McDonald's All-American is slated to be one of the top incoming freshmen in college basketball next season.

Hopefully, he will be able to make a full recovery from this week's crash, allowing him to return to basketball without incident.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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