TEMECULA, CA — A 6-year-old boy died Saturday night after his father backed a Tesla Cybertruck into him while leaving the family driveway near Temecula, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Investigators said the crash happened around 9 p.m. at the family’s home. The child was rushed to a hospital after suffering serious injuries, but he was later pronounced dead.
CHP Officer Jesus Garcia said investigators believe the collision was accidental and that, so far, nothing points to foul play.
CHP says the crash happened while the truck was backing out
The driver was identified as Tarik El Guindy, 48, in a CHP collision report. Police said he struck his son while backing out of the driveway in the Tesla Cybertruck.
Garcia said the agency is still reviewing video from the vehicle and any other available evidence. He said the investigation remains open as officers work through the details of what happened before and after the collision.
The CHP report also said the Cybertruck was not operating in autopilot mode at the time of the crash.
Authorities say the child was identified as Preston El Guindy
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office identified the boy as Preston El Guindy. Officials said he was taken to the hospital after the crash and did not survive.
Garcia said the facts gathered so far indicate an accident rather than a criminal act. He said investigators have not described any signs that would suggest otherwise.
The case remains under review as authorities continue to collect and examine evidence from the scene and the vehicle.
Family and friends remember Preston after the fatal crash
A GoFundMe set up to help with funeral expenses described Preston as a boy who was playing outside in his neighborhood when he was struck by a moving vehicle. The page said his parents and his sister, Scarlett, are facing a devastating loss.
The fundraising page also said Preston was known for smiling often and bringing joy to the people around him. It added that anyone who knew him loved him.
On his public Instagram page, Tarik El Guindy has a highlight video labeled “Preston” that shows the boy playing baseball.
Tarik El Guindy is known publicly for bodybuilding work
El Guindy appears to be a judge and media personality for international bodybuilding competitions, including the Mr. Olympia contest. In that setting, he uses the slightly different first name Terrick.
Last week, he posted on Instagram about the 62nd annual Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend, which is scheduled for this weekend in Las Vegas.
The public posts and his professional profile have drawn attention to the family’s loss, even as investigators focus on the circumstances of the crash itself.
What investigators have confirmed so far about the Cybertruck
So far, CHP officials say the incident appears to have been a tragic accident. They have stressed that they are still checking digital and physical evidence before closing out the case.
Garcia said the review includes video from the Cybertruck, and the agency has not announced any further findings about speed, visibility, or exactly how the child was positioned when the truck moved.
The details released publicly point to a family driveway tragedy that unfolded in seconds and left investigators searching for a complete timeline of the crash.
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