WATCH: Explosion of Alijah Arenas’ Cybertruck Shown as Exact Moment of Crash Gets Caught on Camera

A new angle on Alijah Arenas’s fiery Cybertruck crash drops you into the exact moment metal met tree. The footage is from a nearby security camera and captures the very moment that turned Arenas’ world upside down, putting him in a medically induced coma. Thankfully, it wasn’t due to a major head injury, but rather the result of smoke inhalation. Still, one question remained on everyone’s mind. What exactly happened in those few seconds? And this newly circulated video offers a bit more clarity.

TMZ’s first video captured Arenas sprawled in water moments after the blaze. Arenas was seen lying in a “huge puddle of water” moments after his Cybertruck went up in flames. According to the report, a local resident filmed the video after the crash rocked Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. That witness later told TMZ he had seen Arenas “stuck inside the flame-engulfed vehicle.” While that footage focused on the chaos that followed, this second video zeroes in on the impact itself.

“Security video shows the Los Angeles Cybertruck crash that hospitalized Alijah Arenas…” read the caption of an Instagram post featuring the new footage. The clip shows the 18-year-old’s Tesla Cybertruck approaching and slamming into a tree on the sidewalk. The security footage timestamps the crash at 4:52 a.m. LAPD logs show calls started at 4:56 a.m.

The clip resurfaced online just as fresh health updates emerged.

Recent updates bring good news for the Arenas family

Alijah awoke from his medically induced coma on April 25. He opened his eyes and scrawled a note asking, “Did anyone get hurt?”. A clear sign that he retained consciousness and concern for others from the smoke-filled Cybertruck. Although still intubated, he has since begun breathing on his own under close supervision

“Alijah’s doing better, walking, talking, progressing very well, should be released from the hospital very soon,” shared Josiah Johnson, co-host of Gil’s Arena, on Monday. “No major injuries as a result of the car accident.” However, as of now, officials haven’t provided any details about what caused the accident.

Medical teams have indicated that Alijah’s coma was induced to protect his lungs from smoke inhalation complications rather than to treat head trauma, which he narrowly avoided despite the violent impact with a fire hydrant and tree. Doctors are monitoring him for any delayed respiratory or neurological effects. However, they remain “cautiously optimistic,” per an AP News family statement

As he recovers, the 18-year-old five-star guard (ranked No. 7 overall and the No. 1 shooting guard in the 2025 class) remains committed to USC. He is already fielding well-wishes from teammates and coach Eric Musselman. His mother, Laura Govan, and sister Izela—herself a collegiate basketball player—have been by his side, thanking the heroic bystander who pulled him from the burning vehicle and the medical staff at the trauma center.

Looking ahead, Alijah Arenas’ swift recovery sets the stage for a possible return to practice by early summer. Of course, assuming pulmonary function tests remain normal, a timeline that would have him in peak shape for USC’s preseason camp. The family has requested privacy as they coordinate his discharge and rehabilitation plan. But they are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from fans, former NBA players, and the wider basketball community