A heartbreaking family tragedy in Southern California is under investigation after 6-year-old Preston El Guindy was struck by a Tesla Cybertruck driven by his father outside their Temecula-area home.

THE TRAGIC CRASH

According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident happened shortly before 9 p.m. on September 19 in the 43,000 block of Brookhaven Court.

Authorities said Preston was outside when his father, 48-year-old Terrick El Guindy, was backing the Cybertruck out of the family’s driveway. The vehicle struck the child, leaving him seriously injured.

Preston was rushed to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar, where he was pronounced d#ead at 9:41 p.m., according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office coroner.

CHP: INVESTIGATION POINTS TO AN ACCIDENT

CHP Officer Jesus Garcia told the Los Angeles Times that the information available so far was pointing to an accident and that investigators had found no indication of foul play.

The Cybertruck was also not operating in Autopilot mode at the time of the incident. Investigators are continuing to examine available evidence, including video from the vehicle, as they work to establish exactly what happened.

The father was questioned but was not arrested, according to reporting on the investigation.

A FAMILY LEFT DEVASTATED

The tragedy has left Preston’s family facing an unimaginable loss. A fundraising page established for the family described the little boy as someone whose smile brought joy to those around him.

Terrick El Guindy, who is known in the bodybuilding community as a judge and media personality, also shared a tribute to his son following the tragedy.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Preston’s idenтιтy, age and the location of the incident, while directing questions about the investigation to the California Highway Patrol’s Temecula office.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

For now, authorities have characterized the incident as an apparent accident, but the investigation remains ongoing. Investigators are reviewing the available evidence to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the collision.

For Preston’s family, however, the investigation cannot change the devastating reality of losing a 6-year-old child in a heartbreaking moment at home.

Source: Los Angeles Times — Temecula Cybertruck tragedy | Riverside County Sheriff’s Office — Coroner’s release | Patch — Temecula accident report