Latest news with #ArmenianGenocideMemorialDay
Los Angeles Times
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
Alijah Arenas out of coma, shows ‘significant signs of progress' after Cybertruck crash
Alijah Arenas, a top USC recruit and Chatsworth High basketball star, awoke from his his coma after a serious Cybertruck crash early Thursday morning and 'shown significant signs of progress,' according to a statement from the family shared with The Times. Arenas remains intubated, but the son of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas opened his eyes and was able to communicate by writing on a piece of paper. 'He remembered the smoke,' the statement read, and asked, 'Did anyone get hurt?' Alijah Arenas lost control of his Tesla Cybertruck shortly before 5 a.m. on Thursday morning, striking a fire hydrant and tree. The mangled car caught fire while Arenas was still inside. Arenas was the only person injured during the crash. The family said Friday that 'brave individuals' helped rescue Arenas from the burning vehicle. A person who assisted Arenas recalled hearing 'banging on the car window, but I couldn't see anything because the smoke was so thick,' the family statement read. '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 to pull him out. The car was on fire. We just knew we had to get him out.' The family commended 'this act of courage, along with Alijah's incredible will to survive,' calling it 'nothing short of miraculous.' A video of the early-morning, post-crash scene, obtained by TMZ, showed Arenas lying face down in the street in a few inches of water while the broken hydrant sprayed water into the air. In the background, a person shouts at Arenas repeatedly to 'wake up.' Arenas was in 'stable' condition upon being taken to the hospital, according to LAPD officer Rosario Cervantes. He was intubated and placed in a medically induced coma, which is a common step in treating severe smoke inhalation. Drugs and alcohol were not suspected to be a factor in the crash, a source with knowledge of the crash investigation told The Times. Hours after the collision, the Cybertruck burst into flames again at a nearby tow yard, a person with knowledge of the incident not authorized to discuss it publicly told The Times. Arenas was joined at the hospital by his mother, Laura Govan; father, Gilbert Arenas; siblings and extended family. 'The family continues to ask for the public's prayers and suppoert as their miracle baby fights his way back to full recovery,' the statement read, going on to thank Alijah Arenas' medical team for 'exceptional care.' Arenas is expected to play a major role next season at USC as a freshman. Trojans coach Eric Musselman said in a statement posted on social media Thursday that '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.' Chatsworth students had the day off from school Thursday in observance of Armenian Genocide Memorial Day.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USC recruit Alijah Arenas, son of Gilbert Arenas, injured in auto crash
Alijah Arenas, the Chatsworth High star and crown jewel of USC's incoming recruiting class, was involved in a serious auto accident on Thursday morning, a person familiar with the situation not authorized to discuss it publicly told The Times. Arenas has been hospitalized and placed in a medically induced coma, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, who first reported the crash. Advertisement Alijah is the son of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, who canceled plans to stream a new episode of his online show Thursday. A top-10 recruit in the 2025 class, Alijah Arenas led Chatsworth High to the CIF Division II state championship game in March. He left Chatsworth as the all-time City Section scoring leader, with more than 3,000 points, and recently competed in the McDonald's All-American game. Arenas was slated to play a major role as a freshman at USC after choosing the Trojans over more established basketball powers like Arizona, Kansas and Kentucky. Chatsworth students had the day off from school Thursday in observance of Armenian Genocide Memorial Day. Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
USC recruit Alijah Arenas, son of Gilbert Arenas, injured in auto crash
Alijah Arenas, the Chatsworth High star and crown jewel of USC's incoming recruiting class, was involved in a serious auto accident on Thursday morning, a person familiar with the situation not authorized to discuss it publicly told The Times. Arenas has been hospitalized and placed in a medically induced coma, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, who first reported the crash. Alijah is the son of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas, who canceled plans to stream a new episode of his online show Thursday. A top-10 recruit in the 2025 class, Alijah Arenas led Chatsworth High to the CIF Division II state championship game in March. He left Chatsworth as the all-time City Section scoring leader, with more than 3,000 points and recently competed in the McDonald's All-American game. Arenas was slated to play a major role as a freshman at USC after choosing the Trojans over more established basketball powers like Arizona, Kansas and Kentucky. Chatsworth students had the day off from school Thursday in observance of Armenian Genocide Memorial Day. This is a developing story. Check back soon for updates.
