5 Shocking Facts About Kevin Hart's Near-Fatal 2019 Car Crash And His Grueling Recovery In 2025

The near-fatal car crash involving comedian and actor Kevin Hart on September 1, 2019, remains one of the most significant and life-altering events of his career, a moment that shifted his perspective on life, family, and mortality. The incident, which occurred over the Labor Day weekend in the Malibu Hills, was not a minor fender-bender but a catastrophic wreck that left the superstar with three severe spinal fractures and required extensive surgery and grueling rehabilitation. As of December 2025, Hart has fully returned to his status as a Hollywood powerhouse, but the shadow of the accident—and the technical details of the highly-modified classic car—continues to inform his public persona and private life, serving as a powerful reminder of how quickly life can change.

The details of the crash, the vehicle involved, and the subsequent legal ramifications highlight a complex story of power, speed, and safety in classic car modification. Hart’s journey from the wreckage to the stage, documented in an intimate video, offers a profound look at the physical and emotional toll of a catastrophic injury. This article dives deep into the technical specifications of the 'demon' car, the official cause of the wreck, the extent of the injuries to all three passengers, and the long-term impact on one of the world's highest-paid comedians.

Kevin Hart: Biography Profile and Career Milestones

Kevin Darnell Hart is one of the most recognizable and successful figures in modern entertainment, known for his high-energy stand-up comedy and starring roles in blockbuster films. His journey from a childhood in North Philadelphia to a global comedy brand is a testament to his relentless work ethic and business acumen.

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• Full Name: Kevin Darnell Hart
• Date of Birth: July 6, 1979
• Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Parents: Nancy Hart (mother), Henry Witherspoon (father)
• Career: Comedian, Actor, Producer, Businessman, Media Mogul
• Wives: Torrei Hart (m. 2003; div. 2011), Eniko Parrish (m. 2016)
• Children: Heaven Hart, Hendrix Hart (with Torrei Hart); Kenzo Kash Hart, Kaori Mai Hart (with Eniko Parrish)
• Key Achievements/Accolades: Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, multiple highly successful stand-up tours (e.g., Laugh at My Pain, What Now?), founder of the media company Hartbeat.
• Estimated Net Worth (2025): Approximately $400–$500 million, solidifying his status as one of the highest-paid entertainers globally.
• Key Films: Jumanji franchise, Ride Along, Central Intelligence, Fatherhood.

The Anatomy of the Crash: A Hellcat-Powered 'Demon' Car

The vehicle at the center of the near-fatal accident was not a modern, safety-rated sports car but a meticulously restored and heavily modified classic: a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda.

The Vehicle: A 720-HP Classic Muscle Car

Kevin Hart, a well-known enthusiast and collector of classic American muscle cars, had nicknamed the Barracuda "Menace." The vehicle was far from its original 1970 specifications, having undergone a significant modernization process known as a 'restomod.'

Crucially, the car was fitted with a powerful 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8 engine, boosting its output to an astonishing 720 horsepower. This level of power, combined with the vehicle's classic chassis, created a high-performance machine lacking the crucial safety features of modern vehicles.

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The absence of modern safety equipment, such as five-point harnesses, airbags, and electronic stability control (ESC), became a central point of discussion and future legal liability. These omissions were a direct consequence of the car being a classic modification, which is not subject to the same stringent safety regulations as new cars.

The Incident and Official Cause

The crash occurred just before 1:00 AM on September 1, 2019, on the winding Mulholland Highway in Calabasas, California. Hart was a passenger in the Barracuda, along with his friend, driver Jared Black, and Black’s fiancée, Rebecca Broxterman, who was seated in the back.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) collision report concluded that the primary cause of the accident was "driver recklessness." The report indicated that Jared Black, who was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, gunned the engine and lost control of the high-powered vehicle.

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The Barracuda veered off the road, crashed through a wooden fence, and rolled down a 10-foot embankment, completely totaling the custom vehicle.

The Catastrophic Injuries and the Road to Recovery

The sheer violence of the rollover crash resulted in life-threatening injuries for two of the three occupants, underscoring the severity of the incident and the lack of protection in the classic vehicle.

Kevin Hart’s Spinal Trauma

Kevin Hart suffered the most severe injuries, sustaining three catastrophic spinal fractures. This type of injury is life-altering and required immediate, complex medical intervention.

Hart underwent emergency surgery, which included two reported back fusions to stabilize his spine. His recovery was not swift; he was hospitalized for an extended period before being moved to an intense, live-in rehabilitation facility for physical therapy.

The comedian later described the experience as humbling and a profound test of his mental and physical fortitude. He documented his grueling rehabilitation process, which involved learning to walk again and enduring intense physical therapy sessions, highlighting the incredible effort required to regain mobility and strength.

Injuries to the Other Occupants

Driver Jared Black also suffered major back injuries in the crash, requiring a similar arduous recovery process to Hart's. His recovery was a central focus of his fiancée's, Rebecca Broxterman's, updates following the incident.

Rebecca Broxterman, a personal trainer, was the least injured, reportedly complaining only of pain, a fact that allowed her to assist in calling for help and providing aid in the immediate aftermath.

The Legal and Emotional Aftermath: Liability and Perspective

In the years following the 2019 crash, the focus shifted from the accident itself to the questions of liability, safety, and the long-term emotional impact on all parties involved.

Lawsuits and Liability in the Absence of Modern Safety

While specific details of a final, public settlement are often confidential, the legal landscape surrounding the crash was complex. Because the accident was caused by driver error but the injuries were exacerbated by the car's lack of safety features, potential liability extended beyond the driver.

Legal analysts widely predicted that lawsuits were almost certain. The primary legal arguments centered on:

1. Negligence: The driver, Jared Black, for losing control of the powerful vehicle.
2. Product Liability: The company responsible for modifying and customizing the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, potentially for failing to install modern safety equipment commensurate with the car's vastly increased power (720 HP).

As the vehicle owner, Kevin Hart himself faced potential liability in a civil suit, especially regarding his responsibility for ensuring the safety of his passengers in a car he commissioned and owned. However, the focus of the post-crash narrative quickly turned to his recovery and the emotional lessons learned, with the legal matters likely resolved privately and confidentially among the various parties, including the car modifier and insurance companies.

A New Perspective and Topical Authority

The car crash became a defining moment in Kevin Hart’s life, forcing him to slow down and re-evaluate his priorities.

He has frequently spoken about the experience, highlighting themes of gratitude, resilience, and the importance of family. The comedian's candid discussion of his vulnerability and the pain of his recovery added significant emotional depth to his public persona, a powerful shift for a figure known for his relentless energy. His documentary-like video chronicling the journey served as a public testament to the physical and mental battle he fought.

The incident also sparked a broader discussion within the classic car community about the necessary balance between performance modifications and modern safety standards in high-horsepower 'restomod' vehicles. The entities involved—the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, the Hellcat engine, the Mulholland Highway, and the spinal fusion procedures—have become intrinsically linked to the narrative of Kevin Hart's near-death experience, forever changing his topical authority from solely comedy to one that encompasses survival and resilience.