Reality television personality Kelly Bensimon and celebrity chef Andrew Molen sustained injuries in a head-on collision that occurred Monday afternoon in Sarasota, Florida. The pair were passengers in an Uber vehicle that was struck by an oncoming car.
Bensimon described the incident as terrifying, stating she is "lucky to have walked away alive." She reported experiencing severe pain, with her "right arm a mess" and her head striking the seat in front of her, causing a brief loss of consciousness. Doctors at the hospital performed X-rays on her arm and a CAT scan. "I am totally out of it, I am in so much pain," Bensimon said Tuesday, noting makeup marks on the deployed airbag. "My head went back and banged [Andrew] on his chin."
Molen, a private chef, recalled seeing the other vehicle approaching. "He came straight on," Molen said. "You didn’t hear brakes screech. He came straight in at full blast. We got hit so hard. Kelly went flying. I hit the ceiling. Airbags went off. There was dust everywhere."
Molen reported neck pain and has had to cancel five events this week. He stated, "I am in a lot of pain. They had to help us into ambulances."
The driver of the other vehicle was transported to the hospital by ambulance on a stretcher. Both vehicles involved were Buicks. The Sarasota Police Department has indicated that the crash report is still pending. Uber did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bensimon was in Florida for an open house for a $22 million property listing she represents. Molen was providing culinary services for the event. The pair were also in the process of filming an episode for a digital lifestyle series they are developing, titled "The Chef and the Housewife."