LaMelo Ball, the star point guard for the Charlotte Hornets, emerged unscathed from a dramatic two-vehicle collision in downtown Charlotte on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The accident occurred shortly before 5 p.m. at the high-traffic intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets (known locally as “The Square”).
Incident Details
- The Collision: Ball was driving his custom camouflage-wrapped 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1. According to witnesses and dashcam footage, he attempted an unprotected left turn onto Tryon Street and collided with an oncoming gray Kia sedan traveling east on Trade Street.
- Vehicle Damage: The impact was severe enough to detach the front left wheel of Ball’s Hummer, which came to rest blocking the city’s Gold Line streetcar tracks. The Kia sedan sustained significant front-end damage.
- The “Lambo” Exit: Video from WSOC-TV showed Ball, wearing an aqua Hornets hoodie, exiting the driver’s side of the disabled truck. Shortly after, he was seen getting into a trailing Lamborghini and leaving the scene as police arrived.
Casualties and Injuries
- LaMelo Ball: A league source and the Associated Press confirmed that Ball was not injured and appeared calm following the crash.
- The Other Driver: Emergency responders (MEDIC) treated the driver of the Kia sedan for non-life-threatening injuries. No further updates on their condition have been released.
Team Status
Ball has been sidelined since February 11 with a calf injury, and while he was not expected to play in tonight’s (February 19) home game against the Houston Rockets, this incident has understandably sparked concern among the fanbase. The Hornets have declined to make an official comment regarding the crash