USC recruit Alijah Arenas in induced coma after Los Angeles Cybertruck crash, per sources

WINNETKA, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Five-star men's basketball prospect and USC commit Alijah Arenas crashed a Tesla Cybertruck into a tree and a fire hydrant in the Los Angeles area early Thursday morning.

The 18-year-old was hospitalized and placed in an induced coma after the crash in the Winnetka neighborhood, according to ESPN sources.

Security video obtained by Eyewitness News captured the tail end of the fiery crash. Another video shows the aftermath, with the fire hydrant gushing water into the sky.

Emergency officials responded to a call about the crash at 4:55 a.m.

Bryant Sandoval was woken up by the crash and grabbed a fire extinguisher before sprinting over to help. He realized the driver couldn't get out.

"I heard some banging coming from inside the car, so we knew someone was in there," he said. "Tried putting out the fire, didn't help. Tried smashing the back window on the driver's side, couldn't do it - couldn't figure out how to open the door.

"Basically, just saw the driver's side window slightly ajar, so just pulled that down and he stuck his hand out. We grabbed it, pulled him out and shortly afterward the fire department came."

Those who pulled him from his burning Cybertruck told Eyewitness News that Arenas did manage to tell them he was alone in the car.

"It hit more when he stuck his arm out because he was still there, he was still with us," Sandoval said. "At that point, there was nothing more important than taking him out."

The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed the teen was out of the truck when they arrived at the scene. LAFD did not identify the victim.

The LAPD said later Thursday that Arenas was in stable condition.

Sources told ESPN that initial tests showed he did not suffer broken bones.

Arenas is the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas. He is the No. 13-ranked recruit in the class of 2025 after reclassifying in December and then committing to the Trojans in January.

He attends Chatsworth High School, and he played for them in the Division II state championships this year, making it all the way to the finals. With that game, he became the first high school boys basketball player in the Los Angeles area to reach 3,000 career points.

He was also one of 48 players selected to play in McDonald's All-American Games in April, which showcases the best high school basketball players in the country.

Alijah's mother, Laura Govan, posted on social media asking for prayers for her son. Gilbert Arenas canceled his online talk show scheduled for Thursday.

USC men's basketball coach Eric Musselman said in a statement on X: "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."

ESPN's Shams Charania, Paolo Uggetti, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.