lamelo ball crashes custom Hummer in Uptown Charlotte; one person injured
Charlotte Hornets guard lamelo ball was involved in a collision in Uptown Charlotte on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 18, 2026 ET, leaving one person with non-life-threatening injuries and creating transit disruptions in the city center.
What happened Wednesday afternoon
The crash took place at the intersection of Trade and Tryon streets in the heart of Uptown. A custom 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 driven by the player was left on the side of the road missing a front wheel, while a gray sedan sustained heavy damage and came to rest in the middle of the intersection.
Witnesses at the scene described the gray sedan traveling east on Trade Street when the Hummer, heading west on Trade, attempted a left turn onto Tryon Street—an intersection movement that preceded the collision. Aerial footage captured from above showed the damaged sedan in the intersection and the Hummer stopped nearby with visible front-end damage.
People at the scene said they saw Ball exit the Hummer and then enter another vehicle, a Lamborghini, and that he appeared uninjured. Emergency medical responders evaluated those involved and listed one person with non-life-threatening injuries. Police have not released further details about who was driving which vehicle or the factors that led to the crash.
Aftermath and transit disruptions
The collision blocked both eastbound and westbound tracks used by the Gold Line streetcar system at Trade and Tryon, causing service interruptions on that stretch. Streetcars were operating on truncated routes between central and adjacent stations while crews worked to clear the scene, and motorists in the immediate area experienced delays during the afternoon commute.
Cleanup and vehicle removal were underway following the initial response, with investigators and tow operators coordinating to reopen the intersection. Local businesses reported short-term access issues as crews cordoned off portions of the roadway for investigation and safety.
Police response and what comes next
Local police and emergency personnel responded to the crash and established a perimeter while attending to the injured and documenting the scene. Investigators will review physical evidence, witness statements, and any available video to determine fault and whether any citations or charges are warranted.
No additional information has been released by authorities, and the investigation remains active. Officials ask anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have dash-cam footage from the area to make it available to investigators to help clarify the sequence of events.
This is a developing story. Further updates will be published as more information becomes available from the on-scene investigation and official statements.
