WHEELS . . . 
RENOWNED CAR GUY TAKES ONE FOR THE SPORT By Bonnie Carroll Having interviewed Jay Leno, a well known and long-time LA car guy, I was very relieved to learn he is doing well following a shocking accident that put him in the hospital and area burn center for several weeks. In 1997 I produced a coffee show in tandem with The Beverly Hills Charity Car Show at Beverly Hills High School “Hot Cars & Cool Coffee” benefitting the Beverly Hills Unified School District and was lucky to work with and interview Jay Leno, who often displayed his cars in the annual classic charity show. Having worked with and interviewed Jay Leno, who has been a well known, and long-time LA car guy, I was very relieved to learn he is doing well following a shocking accident that put him in the Cedars Sinai and Grossman burn center for weeks, with special follow up. The well-liked TV Celebrity and beloved car guy is recovering from surgery due to second- and third-degree burns after a recent gasoline fire, according to his doctor. Dr. Peter Grossman, medical director at the Grossman Burn Center, is treating the former Tonight Show host, 72, and revealed during a press conference following treatment that Leno's injuries were serious, but he was in good condition. The comedian was working on a steam engine underneath a car in his garage when a fire began. Leno was pulled from underneath the car, and he had "significant" burns to his face, chest, and hand. While at Grossman Burn Center, Leno underwent a surgical excision and grafting procedure to the burned areas, his doctor explained, noting that a lot of the thickness of his skin was injured. The surgery involves removing unhealthy tissue and placing a biological skin substitute on the wounds in order to expedite healing. Leno said he suffered serious burns after being involved in the fire but said “I am OK’. Grossman also said they were "very aggressive" with Leno's hyperbaric oxygen treatment, which is believed to "accelerate burn wound healing by increasing oxygen supply to injured areas and reducing swelling, which is helpful in maintaining healthy blood flow." "Some of the burns to the face are a little deeper and a little more concerning," Grossman said. Following release from the hospital within a week Jay was seen by Extra driving and from his car he reported to journalists that he felt fine! On a following interview Jay explained how this can happen with the collector car he was driving, and said he was glad he was healing and doing better. Wising him continued recovery and safe car fun!
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