Rick Leventhal, husband of Real Housewives of Orange County graduate Kelly Dodd, feels “lucky to be alive” after surviving a horrific car crash.
“So happy to be alive and grateful for the get well wishes and care I am receiving. 4 broken ribs, broken right foot bone, wounded pride,” the former Fox News reporter, 62, commented on an Instagram post shared Tuesday night.
“That’s it 🙏❤️😎.”
In an accompanying video from his hospital bed, Leventhal addressed the frightening incident.
“I was hydroplaning east on the 410 about 40 minutes outside of Palm Desert and I immediately hit what felt like a patch of ice,” he said, acknowledging the recent heavy rains in Southern California. “It was just water or whatever.”
“So lucky to be alive,” the former Fox News reporter wrote on Instagram after the horrific accident. Instagram/Kelly Dodd
Leventhal continued: “The roads were slick, losing control and hitting the wall hard. Started spitting across lanes and crashed right into the back of a tractor trailer, ripping off the front end of a Mercedes and shattering a windshield.”
The news personality went on to say that one of his vehicle’s windows “broke” and “both airbags” deployed.
“I think I broke my ribs from the airbag,” he said, noting that a “truck helped [him] the end.”
Leventhal is married to Real Housewives of Orange County alumnus Kelly Dodd. Getty Images for DailyMail.com
Despite his injuries, Leventhal insisted he was “fine”. However, the doctors “want to keep me in the hospital for a little bit,” he added. “But it could have been a lot worse.”
His wife Dodd, 47, whom he married in October 2020, asked fans for prayers in a separate post.
“Tomorrow there will be no smash on @youtube, the Rick and Kelly show. My husband was in a terrible car accident,” she captioned photos of the wreck. “He’s in the ER… please say prayers for @rickleventhal.”
Dodd asked fans to pray for Leventhal while he recovers. GC images
Some of Dodd’s Bravo family sent well wishes for Leventhal in their comments section.
“Oh no! Thank god he’s fine,” her former RHOC star Vicki Gunvalson wrote. “I’m praying for a speedy recovery.”
Real Housewives of New Jersey star Margaret Josephs wrote, adding, “So scary to send prayers 🙏🙏🙏❤️.”
Despite his injuries, Leventhal insisted he was “fine”, adding that “it could have been so much worse”.
“Shahs of Sunset” alum Mercedes “MJ” Javid also shared a message of support, writing, “Oh my god no I’m so sorry and sending prayers.”
Meanwhile, Leventhal himself expressed special gratitude for his safety after the accident.
“Honestly, I’m lucky to be alive. Scariest moments of my life,” he commented on Dodd’s page. “It makes everything even more meaningful ❤️.”