USC freshman basketball phenom Alijah Arenas not too long ago opened up about his terrifying expertise surviving a fiery Tesla Cybertruck crash earlier this yr. The crash in Elon Musk’s EV left Arenas in a medically-induced coma resulting from smoke inhalation.
The Los Angeles Occasions reports that USC’s high basketball recruit, Alijah Arenas, shared the harrowing particulars of his slender escape from a burning Tesla Cybertruck after a crash in April. The five-star prospect from Chatsworth Excessive was on his manner residence from an early morning exercise when the incident occurred, perpetually altering his life.
Arenas recounted the moments main as much as the crash, describing how the Cybertruck, registered to his father, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, started performing unusually. The automotive’s keypad flickered on and off, and the steering wheel grew to become unresponsive. Regardless of his efforts to change lanes and pull over, Arenas misplaced management of the automobile, which careened into a hearth hydrant after which a tree earlier than bursting into flames.
Trapped contained in the burning automotive, Arenas fought for his life as smoke stuffed the cabin and flames engulfed the passenger aspect dashboard. Arenas claims the Tesla app had locked him out, stopping him from utilizing his digital key to flee. Panic set in as he struggled to open the door, finally transferring to the again seat to keep away from the smoke and warmth.
Drifting out and in of consciousness, Arenas did the whole lot he might to remain alert and break away from the burning automobile. He bit his lip, clenched his nails into his pores and skin, and doused himself with water to chill his physique down. Regardless of the Cybertruck’s supposedly “unbreakable” home windows, Arenas relentlessly punched and kicked on the glass till he lastly noticed a crack.
As sirens wailed within the distance, Arenas heard a thud exterior the automotive window. He kicked on the driver’s-side window till it fell away, and arms started pulling him from the automobile by his legs. Video footage obtained by TMZ reveals Arenas mendacity face down on the street, surrounded by a couple of inches of water from the damaged hydrant, pretty much as good Samaritans got here to his rescue.
Arenas spent at the very least 10 minutes trapped within the burning automotive earlier than being pulled to security. He was rushed to a close-by hospital and positioned in a medically induced coma resulting from excessive smoke inhalation. When he lastly awoke, unable to talk, his first ideas had been of concern for others, questioning if his automotive had hit one other automobile or if anybody else had been harm.
Remarkably, Arenas suffered no main long-term accidents and spent solely six days within the hospital. Within the weeks following the accident, he targeted on regaining his power, taking walks via his household’s neighborhood and being showered with assist from neighbors. The household even welcomed the boys who saved Arenas into their residence to specific their gratitude.
Now, as Arenas prepares to affix USC for summer season basketball practices, he stands on the sidelines, high-fiving teammates and calling out assignments. His distinctive perspective on life and the sport of basketball has not gone unnoticed by USC coach Eric Musselman, who recommended Arenas’ thought course of and strategy to his teammates.
Reflecting on the incident, Arenas takes full duty for what occurred, refusing to put blame on the automotive’s producer or anybody else. He stays satisfied that he was spared to assist others in the identical manner he was helped, stating, “It taught me lots. I’m very fortunate — and never even simply to be right here. Simply basically, in life.”
Learn extra at the Los Angeles Times here.
Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart Information protecting problems with free speech and on-line censorship.
