Speaking of the recent events, the Las Vegas man involved in the explosion of a Tesla
Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel was identified as an active-duty soldier of the US Army. Authorities have named the deceased man as Matthew Livelsberger, 37, from Colorado Springs.
Identification of the Driver and Incident Details
The explosion occurred on Wednesday, left seven individuals with minor injuries, and caused the evacuation of the hotel. Livelsberger, who rented the Cybertruck in Denver, Colorado, was alone in the vehicle when gasoline canisters and firework mortars in the truck bed detonated. Before the explosion, police reported that Livelsberger died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed his identity using DNA evidence and medical records, as the body was burned beyond recognition. Two legally purchased semi-automatic handguns were recovered from the vehicle, along with Livelsberger’s military ID, passport, and credit cards.
Background of the Driver
Livelsberger was assigned to the Army Special Operations Command and was on authorized leave at the time of the incident. A U.S. Army official revealed that he had completed five combat deployments in Afghanistan and received multiple commendations, including a Bronze Star for valor.
Family members described Livelsberger as deeply committed to his military career. He had aspirations of serving in the Special Forces from a young age. His relatives expressed shock at the incident, emphasizing that there were no prior indications of such actions.
Ongoing Investigation
Law enforcement has not established a connection between this incident and the New Orleans truck attack that occurred earlier the same day, which killed 15 people. The FBI is investigating whether the Las Vegas explosion was an act of terrorism, but no definitive motive has been determined.
Livelsberger rented the Tesla Cybertruck on December 28 and traveled through several cities before arriving in Las Vegas. The angular-design vehicle drove along the city’s famous Strip before parking near the Trump International Hotel.
Authorities later established that the truck in the Las Vegas attack incident and the car used in the attack in New Orleans were both hired from the Turo service. Turo representative noted that the renters had no criminal record, which would have made them security risks to the business and its customers.
