Joshua Hazel and Christina G. Encounter Vandalism During Mardi Gras Parade
Joshua Hazel and Christina G. rode their Cybertrucks through a Mardi Gras parade and are now facing thousands of dollars in repairs due to vandalism.
Joshua Hazel’s Experience
When the owners of two Cybertrucks were invited to participate in a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, they felt honored — but they didn’t anticipate leaving with their vehicles damaged and costly repairs ahead of them. “It was not like any other Mardi Gras,” Joshua Hazel told Business Insider in an interview, adding that the reaction he received from some in the crowd was “aggressive,” “hateful,” and “violent.”
Christina G., who requested to remain partially anonymous for safety reasons, is a friend of Hazel and also a Cybertruck owner. Both are part of a community of Tesla enthusiasts who share a passion for Tesla and SpaceX.
Hazel expressed his excitement about being asked to help transport the parade marshals in their Cybertrucks during the Orpheus parade, alongside three other friends. According to him, the parade organizers had enlisted electric vehicles to help carry parade marshals to monitor the procession.
The group of Cybertruck owners began their day around noon in a designated staging area at a convention center. They decorated their vehicles with American flags and wraps, and as the day went on, people approached them for photographs. “It was all just high energy, enthusiasm, awesome,” Hazel recalled.
Harassment During the Parade
The atmosphere took a troubling turn later that evening, shocking both Hazel and Christina, who have participated in Mardi Gras parades for years without incident. “The energy shift was just so dramatic from what we experienced,” Christina said.
The harassment began with alcohol being thrown at their vehicles and escalated as they continued down the parade route. Hazel, who was driving with his wife, shared that his Cybertruck’s windows were down when an individual ran up and forcefully hurled beads at the side of the vehicle, striking his wife in the head.
“This guy just comes up with full force running from the crowd, and slings a handful of beads,” Hazel explained. “And they’re, you know, there are some thick beads, very large beads in there, a handful of them, right at the side of the truck.” He added that the glass panel covering the camera area was also shattered.
Hazel posted a video of the incident on social media, offering a reward for information leading to the assailant’s arrest. “🚨 REWARD OFFERED 🚨 We are offering a $1,000 reward to the successful ID that leads to an arrest of the man seen in this video. A police report for assault and battery to my wife (Amanda) and property damage to our Tesla Cybertruck is on file with the New Orleans PD (Report ID… [LINK])”
Hazel’s wife informed Business Insider that although she didn’t sustain any major injuries, she experienced a headache for a day or two afterward. Hazel mentioned that he could have accepted booing and thumbs-down gestures, but the crowd resorted to throwing full cans of beer at the vehicle “with baseball fastball throws.”
Christina’s Cybertruck also faced damage during the event. Reflecting on the incident, she described it as “surreal” and noted that people were “pummeling” her vehicle with an unknown heavy object that shattered the top glass.
Repair Costs
Joshua Hazel mentioned that replacing the shattered glass rim would cost around $360.
Meanwhile, Christina revealed that it cost over $2,000 to replace the broken top glass on her Cybertruck. The wrap on her vehicle was torn and speckled with colors from the plastic beads that were thrown at it. She plans to have it replaced, which will incur additional significant expenses.
