LeBron James and his son Bronny James are facing legal issues stemming from an alleged car crash incident from over two years ago. The father-son duo, now teammates with the Los Angeles Lakers, has publicly denied any wrongdoing after being sued by April Almanza Lopez and Kiara Rae McGillen.
The lawsuit, filed on October 23, 2024, claims the pair crashed their vehicle on November 13, 2022, on a highway located in Littlerock, California. According to reports from the Los Angeles Times, Lopez, who owned the vehicle, and McGillen, who was driving at the time of the crash, allege they incurred injuries requiring medical attention and treatment. They also claimed the accident damaged their car, resulting in depreciation.
Lopez and McGillen seek unspecified damages from the lawsuit, asserting their claims have merit. The initial filing followed shortly after LeBron and Bronny made history by becoming the first father-son duo to share the court together during the Lakers’ Opening Night game on October 22, 2024, where they triumphed over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On February 20, 2025, attorneys for LeBron and Bronny responded to the lawsuit by formally denying “each and every allegation contained in the complaint.” Their legal defense included 14 points countering the plaintiffs’ claims. Notably, one of the defenses posited was the assertion of alternate causation for the plaintiffs’ injuries and damages.
“If Lopez and McGillen suffered any injuries or damage to their vehicle, those damages were caused by persons other than these answering defendants,” the attorneys emphasized. This legal strategy indicates the James family’s approach to refute all claims and seek judicial favor. They have also requested the court award costs incurred due to the lawsuit.
Interestingly, the Palmdale Sheriff's Station and the California Highway Patrol reportedly have no records of the alleged crash according to statements made to ESPN. This could potentially play a pivotal role as the case progresses.
Revisiting the historical basketball game, LeBron shared, “That moment, us being at the scorer’s table together... it’s a moment I’m never going to forget.” These reflections highlight the significance of their partnership on the court, especially amid the backdrop of legal difficulties.
The Lakers, sitting at 34-21 and currently fourth in the Western Conference, continue their season with expectations. LeBron, with averages of 24.7 points and 8.8 assists, remains pivotal, alongside his son, Bronny, who averages 1.4 points across his appearances.
With the next court date set for February 19, 2025, observers will be closely watching the developments. The lawsuit has undoubtedly added scrutiny and pressure to the celebrated basketball family as they navigate their burgeoning careers amid the legal allegations.
The upcoming weeks promise to be telling for both the legal standing and the futures of the James duo as they continue to engage fans and players alike on the court, all the enquanto handling the ramifications from the incident. Hoping to reduce the fallout from this lawsuit, the James family seeks to prioritize their reputation and focus on their basketball endeavors.