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5 Shocking Facts About Kevin Hart's Near-Fatal Car Crash And The 'Resurrection' That Followed

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On December 22, 2025, the story of Kevin Hart's devastating 2019 car accident remains a potent reminder of how quickly life can change, even for a global superstar. The near-fatal crash, which occurred over Labor Day weekend, was not just a headline; it was a life-altering event that left the comedian with catastrophic spinal injuries and forced him into a grueling, months-long recovery he later described as a "resurrection." The incident involved his vintage muscle car, a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, which veered off Mulholland Highway in Malibu, California, and rolled down an embankment. While the immediate focus was on the severity of Hart's injuries, the subsequent details—involving driver recklessness, missing safety features, and the long road to physical and emotional recovery—reveal a far more complex and sobering narrative.

Kevin Hart: A Brief Biography and Crash Profile

Kevin Darnell Hart, born July 6, 1979, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, rose to global fame as a stand-up comedian and actor. Known for his high-energy stage presence and box-office hits, his career spans successful comedy specials, films like Jumanji, Ride Along, and Central Intelligence, and a massive social media following.

  • Full Name: Kevin Darnell Hart
  • Born: July 6, 1979 (Age: 46 in 2025)
  • Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
  • Occupation: Comedian, Actor, Producer
  • Spouses: Torrei Hart (m. 2003; div. 2011), Eniko Parrish (m. 2016)
  • Children: 4 (Heaven, Hendrix, Kenzo, Kaori)
  • Key Films: Jumanji franchise, The Upside, Fatherhood

The Crash Profile

  • Date of Accident: September 1, 2019 (Labor Day Weekend)
  • Location: Mulholland Highway, Malibu Hills, California
  • Vehicle: Kevin Hart's custom 1970 Plymouth Barracuda (a gift to himself for his 40th birthday)
  • Occupants: Kevin Hart (Passenger), Jared Black (Driver/Friend), Rebecca Broxterman (Passenger/Black’s Fiancée)
  • Injuries: Kevin Hart suffered three spinal fractures, requiring emergency surgery and two reported back fusions. Jared Black also sustained serious back injuries. Rebecca Broxterman had minor injuries.
  • Cause: California Highway Patrol (CHP) cited driver recklessness (sudden acceleration) and loss of control.

The Catastrophic Injuries and Immediate Aftermath

The severity of the crash was immediately evident. Hart, who was the passenger, was trapped in the mangled vehicle and had to be pulled out. The impact resulted in one of the most serious injuries a person can sustain: multiple spinal fractures.

Three Fractured Vertebrae and the Threat of Paralysis

Hart fractured three vertebrae in his back—two thoracic and one lumbar. This catastrophic spinal injury required immediate, complex emergency surgery to stabilize his spine, involving two reported back fusions. For a time, Hart reportedly experienced partial paralysis, underscoring the life-or-death nature of his situation and the high stakes of the surgery.

Following a 10-day hospitalization, Hart was transferred to a live-in rehabilitation facility for intense physical therapy. The recovery was described as "long and arduous," requiring him to essentially relearn basic motor functions.

The Roles of Jared Black and Rebecca Broxterman

The driver of the vehicle, Hart’s friend Jared Black, also suffered major back injuries. His fiancée, Rebecca Broxterman, a personal trainer, was in the back seat and was fortunate to escape with less severe injuries.

The California Highway Patrol’s investigation concluded that Black lost control of the vintage muscle car after accelerating suddenly while turning onto Mulholland Highway. The vehicle then spun out, crashed through a fence, and rolled into an embankment.

The Legal Fallout and Missing Safety Features

While the crash was attributed to driver error, a significant legal angle emerged involving the vehicle itself. Hart’s 1970 Plymouth Barracuda was a highly customized car, and subsequent reports highlighted a major safety deficiency: the lack of modern safety harnesses and, critically, a roll cage.

The Lawsuit Against the Customizer

Following the crash, Hart reportedly prepared to file a lawsuit against the company that customized the vehicle. The contention was that the custom muscle car was missing key safety features, such as a roll cage and five-point harnesses, which could have significantly mitigated the injuries sustained by the occupants during the violent rollover.

This potential lawsuit aimed to hold the customizer accountable for failing to install essential modern safety equipment on a vehicle with a powerful, custom-built engine—a modification that inherently increased the risk of a high-speed accident.

While the immediate parties (Hart, Black, and Broxterman) did not sue each other, the focus shifted to the liability of the custom design shop for the vehicle's structural integrity and safety preparedness.

The 'Resurrection': Kevin Hart's Enduring Perspective Shift

Years later, the most enduring and current update from the accident is not a legal settlement, but the profound shift in Kevin Hart’s personal and professional perspective. The comedian has repeatedly spoken about the crash as a moment of rebirth, a "resurrection" that fundamentally changed his outlook on life, control, and gratitude.

A New Appreciation for Life

Hart has been vocal about the mental and emotional toll of the recovery process, which was as grueling as the physical therapy. He has shared that the crash taught him a crucial lesson: "No matter how much you think you're in control, you're not in control."

His post-crash reflections, shared in interviews and his documentary, emphasize an intense appreciation for his family, his health, and the simple ability to walk and perform.

The Long-Term Impact on His Career

The crash forced Hart to take an extended hiatus from his demanding schedule, a rarity in his career. While he has since returned to his prolific output of films, stand-up specials, and business ventures, his approach is reportedly more measured. The experience reinforced his commitment to his craft but also highlighted the fragility of life and the importance of balancing work with well-being.

The story of the Kevin Hart car accident is no longer just a news item about a celebrity's injury; it is a powerful case study in resilience, spinal trauma recovery, and the unexpected life lessons that can emerge from a near-death experience. His journey from a mangled car on Mulholland Highway to a full return to the stage serves as an inspirational narrative of overcoming physical devastation.

kevin hart car accident
kevin hart car accident

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