Alijah Arenas seen for first time in emotional video after horror car crash put him in a coma
Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas’ son Alijah has finally returned home following the terrifying car crash that left him in a coma last month.
Alijah, 18, was placed into an induced coma after the crash in Los Angeles on April 24, which reduced his Tesla Cybertruck to a fiery wreck.
The high-school basketball player was rescued shortly before 5am and taken to a local hospital, where it was revealed he had broken no bones but inhaled a significant amount of smoke.
Last week the Arenas family told TMZ that Alijah was able to walk on his own and speak with his parents, Laura Govan and former Wizards guard Gilbert, after showing ‘significant signs of progress’ in his recovery.
And a few days on, Gilbert has captured an emotional video of his boy returning home to a heartwarming bunch of flowers, balloons and gifts following the ordeal.
Alijah looks both in fine spirits and good health in the clip despite a representative for the family recently stressing he ‘still has a long road to recovery.’
Alijah Arenas has finally returned home following the terrifying car crash that left him in a coma
The son of ex-NBA star Gilbert was placed into an induced coma after the crash on April 24
While sharing the video, Gilbert also took another opportunity to thank the first responders who removed his son from the wreckage.
‘I want to thank Jose, Bryant, and Robert for saving Alijah — he can’t wait to meet you guys,’ he wrote. ‘Truly grateful to everyone for the prayers, love, and support during his healing. Much love.’
He then joked: ‘Funny enough, Alijah told his boys way back: “If I’m ever in a coma, don’t bring flowers. Bust in rapping ‘I might swerve, bend that corner, woah’ by Gelo like it’s the national anthem.”
‘Because nothing screams perfect timing like saying ‘Swerve on that corner, woah’… right after you actually did. Into a tree. Into a hospital stay’.’
Gilbert added: ‘WELCOME HOME’.
It was revealed last week that police do not believe that drugs or alcohol played a role in the shocking crash that left Alijah’s Cybertruck wrapped around a tree.
The precise cause of the incident remains a mystery but TMZ reported that investigators did not see any signs of intoxication after he was pulled from the burning car.
Alijah is a prestigious high school basketball player with hopes of emulating his father
Investigators reportedly visited Alijah at the hospital but they did not take his blood for testing and as of Saturday, no criminal investigation was ongoing.
Police are said to believe that speed was the principal factor behind the crash, which did not involve any other vehicles.
The son of former NBA star Gilbert, Alijah is a five-star basketball prospect committed to play at USC next season.
His father, nicknamed ‘Agent Zero,’ was a three-time All-Star for the Wizards, as he averaged 25 points per game in 357 games for the franchise.
