Food Network star Duff Goldman is recovering from a hand injury after a suspected drunk driver swerved into his lane and hit his car on Thursday (Feb. 1).
The famed pastry chef told People he was being driven home from the Los Angeles airport when the incident occurred.
“I live on a really windy, canyon road in the Santa Monica Mountains, and this guy just came around this corner way too fast,” he explained. “He was already totally in our lane and just smashed into us.”
According to the television personality, he smelled alcohol on the other driver’s breath when he went over to help him after the collision.
“He got out of the car and was kind of stumbling around. I was like, ‘Oh, this guy is hurt.’ And then I went over to see if he was all right and hold him upright. And I smelled his breath, and I was like …,” he said. “Man, I was pretty angry.”
Goldman, who shares a three-year-old daughter with his wife Johnna, added, “My daughter almost didn’t have a dad because this guy was stupid. There’s so many ways to get to where you need to go at the touch of a button, you can get a ride to anywhere you need to go. There’s just no excuse.”
Fortunately, the Ace of Cakes star, his driver and the driver of the other vehicle all survived the crash. However, Goldman’s dominant right hand was crushed in the accident and required stitches.
“It definitely doesn’t work,” the chef told People of his hand. “And I need it to, because that’s all I got.”
Goldman later opened up about the accident on Instagram, where he urged his followers not to drink and drive.
“I’m fine, but it’s gonna be a long road to recovery, and for someone like me who makes a living with my hands you can imagine that this is no joke,” he wrote. “There’s no excuse for driving drunk. None. Uber, taxi, call a friend. No excuse. Stay safe friends, count your blessings. If you’re drinking don’t drive, and if you’re driving, don’t drink.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
