Former NBA Star Shares Photos of Hit and Run Aftermath That Nearly Claimed His Life

Former NBA forward Charlie Villanueva and his wife Lala Alvarez are "thankful" to be alive after being involved in a scary hit and run car accident earlier this week.

The 39-year-old, who played 11 seasons throughout his career for the Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and Dallas Mavericks, shared the photos to Instagram on Wednesday. The images show his smashed up Mercedes G Wagon which appeared to have been hit from the back right side of the vehicle.

"One thing we never take for granted is leaving the house and making it back home," Villanueva wrote in the caption. "If you wondering what happened, my wife and I got hit bad by another car, and the crazy part is that whomever hit me, decided to run. Sore neck, sore back, messed up car, we are thankful to see another day. Our lives can’t be replaced, but the vehicle can."

He went on, thanking God for protecting them and noting that 2023 is just preparing them for 2024. "So to those whom 2023 has been a difficult year, a year of struggle ... be thankful, and don’t give up," he added. "Because once you come out of the storm, you’ll see your true power."

In the comments, he mentioned that the car had been recently purchased brand new for his wife's birthday, and that they hadn't had it for two months before the accident.

Villanueva played college basketball for the University of Connecticut, where he earned Big East All-Rookie Team honors and was a key reserve member of the 2004 NCAA National Championship team during his freshman year. After his sophomore year, in which he averaged 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds, leading the team in scoring and being named MVP, Villanueva entered the 2005 NBA draft where was selected as a first-round draft pick and No. 7 overall by Toronto.

He finished out his career with Dallas before retiring in 2016.