LaMelo Ball Involved in Downtown Charlotte Car Crash
Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball was at the centre of a dramatic two-car collision in downtown Charlotte on Wednesday afternoon, with viral dashcam footage capturing the moment his distinctive camouflage, custom-made Hummer crashed into another vehicle. The incident occurred shortly before 5pm local time as Ball, aged 24, was driving through an intersection.
No injuries were sustained in the accident, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press. A police report was not immediately available following the crash, which drew significant attention due to Ball's high-profile status and the unusual nature of his vehicle.
Video Evidence Shows Dramatic Aftermath
Video obtained by the Daily Mail and later shared by WSOC-TV in Charlotte shows Ball's Hummer colliding with another car before continuing down the street despite losing its left front wheel in the impact. The other vehicle involved remained wrecked in the intersection while Ball's Hummer eventually rolled into a tree.
Footage from the scene shows Ball, wearing an aqua-coloured Hornets hoodie, exiting his damaged truck and getting into another car before being driven away. Police were present at the time of his departure. The driver of the other vehicle was seen calmly getting out of his car and walking toward Ball's truck following the collision.
Ball's History with Flashy Vehicles
The younger brother of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Lonzo Ball and former UCLA forward LiAngelo Ball, LaMelo has developed a reputation for driving attention-grabbing vehicles. He has previously been spotted in a gold-wrapped Lamborghini among other luxury cars, making his custom camouflage Hummer just the latest in a series of distinctive automotive choices.
The accident occurred on a day when the Hornets had held practice earlier, with the team scheduled to host the Houston Rockets on Thursday night as NBA teams return from the All-Star break. Charlotte has been enjoying strong form recently, winning 10 of their last 11 games.
Not the First Sports Star Crash in Charlotte
Ball becomes just the latest professional athlete to be involved in a car accident in the Charlotte area. Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton fractured his back in a 2014 crash when he flipped his black pickup truck near Bank of America Stadium – less than a mile from where Ball's accident occurred.
More recently in 2024, current Panthers backup quarterback Andy Dalton injured his thumb when involved in a two-car accident in Charlotte. The city has seen several high-profile incidents involving sports figures behind the wheel, with Ball's crash adding to this unfortunate trend.
The Hornets organization has not released an official statement regarding the incident, and it remains unclear whether Ball will face any traffic violations or if the accident will affect his availability for upcoming games. The condition of the other driver involved in the collision has not been disclosed, though video evidence suggests they were able to exit their vehicle without apparent difficulty.
