4 Key Facts About the Cybertruck Explosion in Las Vegas
A Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas raises questions about the driver and possible connections to recent attacks
Las Vegas, USA, Cybertruck, Explosion, FBI, Trump Hotel, Matthew Livelsberger
Las Vegas: On New Year’s Day, a Cybertruck exploded outside the Trump Hotel, and it’s been a wild ride since. Authorities found gas tanks, fireworks, and fuel inside the truck, all linked to a detonation system controlled by the driver.
The FBI is on the case, trying to figure out if this was a terrorist act. Sadly, the driver was shot in the head before the explosion, and a gun was found at his feet. It seems he might have shot himself.
This explosion happened just hours after a tragic attack in New Orleans, where a supporter of the Islamic State caused chaos. So, what’s the scoop on this Las Vegas explosion?
First off, the driver, identified as Matthew Livelsberger, was a 37-year-old master sergeant in the U.S. Army. He was on leave in Colorado when this all went down. His family hadn’t heard from him in days, which is pretty concerning.
Livelsberger was a smart guy, graduating summa cum laude from Norwich University. He rented the Cybertruck in Colorado early that morning, and surveillance footage shows it driving past the Trump Hotel before circling back and exploding around 8:40 a.m.
Now, about any connections to the New Orleans attack—authorities say there’s no solid link yet. Both drivers were military members and rented trucks through Turo, but they haven’t found any direct ties. The investigation is still ongoing.
As for the explosion itself, it was caused by a large firework or bomb in the truck’s bed, not a malfunction of the Cybertruck. Elon Musk even chimed in, saying the vehicle’s design helped contain the blast, directing it upwards and minimizing damage.
Sheriff McMahill backed this up, noting that the Cybertruck’s structure limited the damage to the hotel. Thankfully, the glass doors weren’t broken, which is a small relief in a pretty chaotic situation.