Joshua Hazel and Christina G. have been excited to take part in a Mardi Gras parade with different Cybertruck homeowners.The parade became antagonistic with alcohol, beads, and insults hurled on the Cybertrucks.Each mentioned they confronted hundreds in damages — however that it promoted them to shop for extra Tesla stocks.When the homeowners of 2 Cybertrucks have been requested to take part in a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, they felt commemorated — however they did not be expecting to go away with their cars broken and expensive upkeep.”It was once now not like every other Mardi Gras,” Joshua Hazel informed Trade Insider in an interview, including that the response he won from some within the crowd was once “competitive,” “hateful,” and “violent.”Christina G., who requested to not be absolutely named out of concern of retaliation, is pals with Hazel and in addition owns a Cybertruck. Each are a part of a gaggle of Tesla homeowners who proportion commonplace pursuits, together with their enthusiasm for Tesla and SpaceX.Hazel mentioned they have been each “pumped” to be requested to move the parade marshals of their Cybertrucks for the Orpheus parade with 3 different pals. The parade organizers had electrical cars raise parade marshals to observe a part of the procession, Hazel mentioned.The buddy team of Cybertruck homeowners began the day at round midday in a pre-staging house at a tradition middle, Hazel mentioned. They embellished their Cybertrucks with American flags and wraps, and all the way through the day, other people approached them to take footage.”It was once all simply top power, enthusiasm, superior,” Hazel mentioned.Some within the crowd started harassing the driversThe occasions that transpired later that night surprised Hazel and Christina, who’ve attended Mardi Gras parades for years and did not believe their participation within the parade a commentary.”The power shift was once in order that dramatic from what we skilled,” Christina informed BI.Christina mentioned it began with alcohol being thrown on the car and worsened as they drove additional down the path.Hazel, who was once riding the car along with his spouse, mentioned his Cybertruck home windows have been down when any person ran as much as the car and forcefully slang beads at its facet. The beads hit his spouse within the head, Hazel mentioned.”This man simply comes up with complete drive working from the gang, and slings a handful of beads,” Hazel mentioned. “And they are, you realize, there may be some thick beads, very huge beads in there, a handful of them, proper along with the truck.”The truck’s glass panel that covers the digicam house was once additionally shattered, he added.Hazel posted a video of the incident on social media.
Can any individual determine this guy?
Let’s make him well-known within the information and on the net. He broke the glass in this Cybertruck whilst the landlord was once volunteering for a parade on in New Orleans. He must be recognized, please proportion. percent.twitter.com/MgKZEwlDa8— Gail Alfar (@GailAlfarATX) March 20, 2025
Hazel’s spouse informed BI she did not maintain any primary harm, however she had a headache for an afternoon or two after. Hazel mentioned he would had been advantageous with the booing and thumbs down, however other people have been throwing complete cans of beer on the car with “baseball fastball throws.”Christina’s Cybertruck additionally persevered injury, and he or she mentioned it feels “surreal” to suppose again to the development. She mentioned other people have been “pummeling” the car with an unknown heavy object that broke the highest glass.
Christina G. mentioned other people hit the car with an unknown heavy object that broke the glass.
Christina G.
Hazel mentioned the parade drivers had a gaggle chat with the parade organizers and have been ready to touch the pinnacle of safety. Then again, Hazel and Christina mentioned it took over an hour sooner than they have been ready to get off the path.
Comparable tales
“We have been actually left to only take a seat and undergo,” Christina informed BI, including that it felt like “40 days.”Hazel added that individuals referred to as them Nazis, informed them to go away town, and expressed hatred towards Elon Musk and DOGE. He mentioned he additionally witnessed kids being inspired to throw beads on the car and provides their heart finger.”I have were given over two decades of army carrier, and I am these days serving.” Hazel mentioned. “I am not a Nazi in our American govt, American army. So I believe that roughly stuff is, that speak, is simply horrendous.”The aftermath: The drivers say they face hundreds in car damageHazel and his spouse mentioned they filed a police record. Christina informed BI she did the similar.Either one of the Cybertruck drivers mentioned they confronted hundreds of bucks in upkeep following the incident.Hazel mentioned he won quotes that the shattered glass rim will value round $360 to interchange and the car’s aftermarket wrap will value about $7,000 to take away and redo. He mentioned the tonneau could also be “closely scratched” and that can upload to the associated fee if it does not wash out.
Joshua Hazel mentioned the shattered glass rim will value round $360 to interchange.
Joshua Hazel
Christina mentioned it value over $2,000 to interchange the damaged best glass at the Cybertruck.Christina mentioned the wrap on her car tore and it is speckled with colours from the plastic-covered beads that have been thrown on it, and he or she plans to get it changed, which can value hundreds extra.
Christina G. mentioned her Cybertruck wrap is speckled with colour from the plastic beads.
Christina G.
The New Orleans Police Division informed BI there were not any updates in its investigation into the incident.Christina mentioned her enjoy on the parade left her feeling traumatized.”It is heartbreaking to look those individuals who have labored exhausting and feature determined find out how to spend their very own budget to be attacked and feature their assets vandalized,” Christina mentioned. “It is simply damaged, it is incorrect.”She mentioned whilst her pals had been supportive, it is been eye-opening and frightening to learn other people’s reactions on-line, together with “the birthday party that some other people have been experiencing in inflicting us hurt and attacking us.”Within the wake of Tesla protests and vandalism incidents around the nation in protest of Elon Musk’s political involvement, some Tesla homeowners have determined to promote their cars out of concern of harassment or confrontation with DOGE.For Hazel and Christina, experiencing vandalism had the other impact.Christina mentioned that as she and her husband left New Orleans that night time, she ordered the Cybertruck Wind-up Racer, a collectible style offered via Tesla, that she won this week. Hazel in a similar way purchased an extra 185 Tesla stocks following the incident.”We purchased extra Tesla stocks, we are having a look at including every other Tesla to the strong,” Hazel mentioned, including that he would not permit “any roughly bullying to dictate” the car he drives.Are you a Tesla proprietor with a tip or tale to proportion? Achieve out to the reporter by the use of protected messaging platform Sign at aalt.19 or e-mail at aaltchek@insider.com.
