Los Angeles, California – Alijah Arenas, a rising basketball star from Chatsworth High School, found himself involved in a serious accident early Thursday morning while driving a Tesla Cybertruck in Reseda. Reports indicate that the vehicle lost control and crashed into a fire hydrant and tree at around 4:56 a.m. Arenas, an 18-year-old top recruit in the 2025 class, was pulled from the wreckage and taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition, according to LAPD Officer Rosario Cervantes. Authorities have confirmed that drugs and alcohol were not factors in the accident.
Sources close to the situation revealed that Arenas was placed in a coma following the crash, with updates on his condition being closely monitored by the public. His father, former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, canceled plans for a scheduled show as his mother, Laura Govan, requested prayers for her son through a social media post. The incident occurred just months after Alijah led Chatsworth High to the CIF Division II state championship game, leaving a lasting mark as the City Section’s all-time scoring leader with over 3,000 points.
Arenas, who recently participated in the McDonald’s All-American game, was poised to make a significant impact as a freshman athlete at the University of Southern California. Despite interest from other renowned basketball programs like Arizona, Kansas, and Kentucky, Arenas ultimately decided to commit to the Trojans. USC has refrained from commenting on the incident as Arenas is still considered a prospective student and has yet to officially join the basketball program.
As the community rallied together in support of Arenas, the crash site remained marked with caution tape and the remnants of the Cybertruck. A hazardous materials incident ensued after the vehicle, taken to a tow yard post-crash, burst into flames. With details surrounding the accident continuing to unfold, Chatsworth students had the day off from school on Thursday to observe Armenian Genocide Memorial Day, reflecting on the events with heavy hearts.