A California family is facing an unimaginable tragedy after a well-known bodybuilding judge accidentally struck and killed his 6-year-old son while backing a Tesla Cybertruck out of their driveway.
Preston El Guindy was hit shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, outside his family’s home on Brookhaven Court, just east of Temecula near Highway 79, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CHP Officer Jesus Garcia said Preston’s father, Tarik El Guindy, 48, was reversing the Cybertruck out of the driveway when the vehicle struck the child.
The family immediately called 911.
Riverside County Fire Department paramedics arrived within minutes and found Preston gravely injured. He was rushed to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar, but doctors were unable to save him.
The 6-year-old died later that night.
CHP confirmed that the Cybertruck was not operating in Autopilot mode at the time of the collision.
Authorities also said there was no apparent indication that El Guindy had been intoxicated. He was questioned by investigators but was not arrested.
The investigation remained ongoing.
It remains unclear whether any of the Cybertruck’s warning systems alerted El Guindy that his son was behind the vehicle before the collision.
A fundraiser organized by family friend Stefanie Chesbro described Preston as a joyful child who had been playing outside in his neighborhood shortly before the tragedy.
“On Saturday night our sweet Preston was playing outside in his neighborhood and was accidentally struck by a moving vehicle,” Chesbro wrote.
She said Preston’s injuries were too severe and that he died at the hospital with his mother beside him.
The fundraiser said Preston leaves behind his parents and his sister, Scarlett.
“To know Preston is to love him,” Chesbro wrote, adding that he was almost always smiling and brought happiness to the people around him.
Family social media posts reportedly showed that Preston had only recently begun first grade after finishing kindergarten earlier this year.
The fundraiser was created to help the family with funeral expenses and other costs as they cope with the sudden loss. It quickly surpassed its original $12,000 goal.
El Guindy is well known in professional bodybuilding.
He has served as a judge for the IFBB Pro League and Mr. Olympia, one of the most prestigious competitions in the sport. He has also appeared as a host and commentator on Olympia TV and Prime Time Muscle.
Over the years, El Guindy has become known for breaking down major bodybuilding competitions and offering analysis of some of the sport’s biggest names.
He previously praised six-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead for helping expand bodybuilding’s popularity, comparing his impact on the sport to the lasting influence of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
But the family’s focus is now entirely on Preston.
CHP offered its condolences to the El Guindy family and everyone affected by the tragedy while investigators continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.