Reckless driving caused the California crash last month that injured actor and comedian Kevin Hart and two other people, the state highway patrol said in a report released Thursday.
Jared Stanton Black was driving Hart’s 1970 Plymouth Barracuda when it rolled into a ditch early Sept. 1 in Malibu, according to the California Highway Patrol. Hart suffered back injuries, authorities have said.
Hart’s production company has said that Hart underwent back surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.
The performer doesn’t expect to return to work full time until early next year, assuming everything stays on track with his physical therapy, his attorney, Andrew Brettler, said.
The cause of the crash was determined to be reckless driving, which is defined under state law as “a person who drives a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving,” the report says.
While turning, the driver “quickly accelerated,” which caused the right rear tire of the muscle car to break traction and resulted in a loss of control, the agency said. The car hit a tapered curb and a vinyl fence before going down the embankment and hitting a tree, according to the CHP report.
“I have nothing but love for Jared and wish him and Rebecca a speedy recovery,” Hart said in a statement through his attorney, referring to the driver and the other passenger, Rebecca Kathleen Broxterman.
Diana Dasrath is Entertainment Producer and Senior Reporter for NBC News covering all platforms.
Andrew Blankstein is an investigative reporter for NBC News. He covers the Western United States, specializing in crime, courts and homeland security.
Phil Helsel contributed.
