Cars are Jay Leno’s passion. He collects them, works on them, and even uses his comedian background to joke about cars.
Leno’s car collection is proudly housed in his garage located in Burbank, California. TMZ reports that, when he doesn’t have anything else to do, he fills his time by working on cars in this garage.
On Saturday, November 12th Leno was in his garage working on one of his cars when an accident occurred. Out of nowhere, one of the cars started on fire, injuring Leno’s face with burns on the left side. Although his eyes and ear were thankfully spared, this was still a very disturbing event.
Leno was scheduled to give a talk at a financial conference in Las Vegas on Sunday, but he failed to appear at the event. Leno’s absence was conveyed to the event attendees via email. The email read, “His family was not able to provide us very many details, but there was a very serious medical emergency that is preventing Jay from traveling.” It continued, “All we know is that he is alive, so our prayers go out to him and his family tonight.”
Leno has canceled all of his upcoming speaking engagements this week so that he can focus on recovering at the burn ward at Grossman Burn Center. He was taken to the center immediately after sustaining his injury and remains there today.
In a statement, Leno spoke about his injury, “I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire. I am ok. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.”
Aimee Bennett, a spokesperson for the hospital treating Leno released an update about his condition. In the statement, it was explained that currently, Leno is receiving treatment “burns that he received to his face and hands from a gasoline accident in his garage over the weekend.” She continued, “He is in good humor and is touched by all the inquiries into his condition and well wishes. He wants to let everyone know he is doing well and is in ‘the best burn center in the United States.’”
Jay Leno was released from the Grossman Burn Center after sustaining second and third-degree burns in a gasoline fire. “I am pleased with Jay’s progress, and I am optimistic that he will make a full recovery,” Dr. Peter Grossman of the Grossman Burn Center stated.
Mr. Leno was smiling in a photo surrounded by caregivers from the Grossman Burn Center. Mr. Leno has put his upcoming appearances on hold, but we’re all hoping he’ll be able to resume his favorite activities soon, like working on cars and making audiences smile.
The burn center released a statement that said: “Jay would like to let everyone know how thankful he is for the care he received, and is very appreciative of all of the well wishes. He is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his family and friends and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday,”