Leno seen behind the wheel for first time after being released from hospital
Jay Leno is seen for the first time since leaving the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles following a gasoline fire that left him with serious burns.
Jay Leno was in his happy place once again as he was spotted for the first time cruising down the street in a silver 2002 Mercedes-Benz just one day after being released from the Grossman Burn Center.
Leno was released from the West Hills hospital on Monday after a 10-day stay where he received multiple surgeries for third-degree burns to his face, chest and hands from a fire that broke out at his garage in Burbank.
"Everything's OK," Leno said while laughing. He admitted that he's ready to go back to work, too, and will be "performing Sunday at the Comedy Magic Club." When told to get some rest, Leno quipped, "Yeah, I need barbecue."
Leno looked completely at ease driving down the street despite the traumatic event nearly two weeks ago when he was sprayed with gasoline while working on one of his vintage vehicles and a fire ignited, causing serious damage to his body.
JAY LENO REVEALS BURNS FROM FIRE, RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL
Jay Leno shows scarred marks on his hands and face while driving a silver Mercedes in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. (The Mega Agency / BACKGRID)
The car connoisseur had burns across the left side of his face and showed had deep scabs on his hands as he held onto the steering wheel while on a joyride in L.A.
JAY LENO'S DOCTOR GIVES UPDATE AFTER HE SUFFERED ‘SERIOUS BURNS’ IN GASOLINE FIRE
He wore a pair of black circular glasses and his trademark blue denim long-sleeve over a white T-shirt as he cruised down the street with his windows rolled down.
Dr. Peter Grossman was "optimistic that he will make a full recovery" and said in a release provided to Fox News Digital that he was "pleased with Jay's progress."
Jay Leno held his arm out of the car window while on a joyride one day after leaving the burn center. (The Mega Agency / BACKGRID)
Jay Leno gets behind the wheel of a 2002 Mercedes-Benz one day after leaving the burn center. (The Mega Agency / BACKGRID)
"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," the Grossman Burn Center said in a statement.
"He is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his family and friends and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday."
Leno had at least two surgeries while at the burn center, one was a "surgical excision and grafting procedure." He also required the use of a hyperbaric chamber to help provide better blood flow and decrease bacteria.
Jay Leno was spotted on a trip around town, his first sighting in public since a traumatic car fire. (The Mega Agency / BACKGRID)
Jay Leno sustained minor injuries from a car fire last week, and was easing back into normal life. (The Mega Agency / BACKGRID)
Beverly Hills Dermatologist Dr. Jason Emer told Fox News Digital it is "essential to do immediate treatment to protect the skin barrier and help it repair itself" following injuries sustained similar to Leno's burns. "In this case, when you have a true burn on the skin with pigmentation issues and textural damage, you need skincare plus aggressive laser treatments and at home LED light therapy."
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He noted that a combination of "deep microneedling radio frequency to stimulate new collagen production" combined with "skin barrier repair and pigmentation blending" could benefit a burn victim.
"These treatments, in combination, would treat the skin at every level and help it remodel to normal, fresh, healthy skin over time," Emer said.
Burbank Fire Department Battalion Chief Dave Burke released an incident report to Fox News Digital that revealed officials responded to the "emergency medical call" on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 12:28 p.m.
Jay Leno is shown saying goodbye to the Grossman Burn Center care team. (Grossman Burn Center)
Jay Leno has hundreds of rare and vintage cars, and posed with a 1908 steam car. (Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank)
Shortly after the incident, Leno said in a statement to Fox News Digital, "I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire. I am OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet."
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Leno has long been a connoisseur of car culture. He worked as a mechanic while rising through the ranks as a stand-up comedian, and he now owns more than 280 unique vehicles.
The impressive collection of rare, antique and vintage cars is reportedly worth from $50 million to $100 million, but estimates vary due to predictions in what some rare cars could sell for. On "Jay Leno's Garage," Leno chats with car enthusiasts about favorite makes and models, in addition to showing off his prized collection of cars, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.
Fox News Digital's Larry Fink contributed to this report.
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