Gilbert Arenas’ son, Alijah, is out of his coma and has shown ‘significant signs of progress’ after a major car crash set his Tesla Cybertruck on fire.
The rising basketball star, 18, was placed into an induced coma on Thursday, but his family provided a hugely positive update the following day.
In a statement shared ESPN’s Shams Charania, his family said that he remains intubated after his health progressed over the last 24 hours.
‘Although he remains intubated, this progress marks a critical step forward in his recovery,’ the statement reads.
‘His mother, Laura Govan Father, Gilbert Arenas, siblings and family have been by his side every step of the way, holding onto faith and drawing strength from the prayers and love pouring in from around the world.’
As relayed in the statement, one of the Good Samaritans who rescued Alijah from the burning car said they heard ‘banging on the car window, but I couldn’t see anything because the smoke was so thick.
Alijah is the son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, and is following in his basketball foosteps
‘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 and pull him out. The car was on fire. We just knew we had to get him out.’
‘This act of courage, along with Alijah’s incredible will to survive, has been nothing short of miraculous,’ Alijah’s family said. ‘The family continues to ask for the public’s prayers and support as their miracle baby fights his way back to a full recovery.
‘They remain deeply grateful for the exceptional care provided by his medical team and the overwhelming love and encouragement from the community.
Alijah’s family said he later opened his eyes and wrote on a piece of paper: ‘Did anyone get hurt?’ The accident was a single-car collision.
The accident left the teen lying face down in a puddle of water after his vehicle barreled over a fire hydrant.
More to follow
