TGR StaffMotor Trend recently released a video about Jessi Lang and her recovery from a major accident while on assignment in Germany. It is a story about the challenges she faced in rehabilitating her shattered leg, her perseverance, and her return to work. She is one tenacious lady who has been through a hell of a lot. Many found it inspiring and brave that “The J-Turn” star produced this heartfelt message, sharing something deeply personal.
But this is the internet….many in the automotive community feel there is much more to the story and found the omission of the status of the passenger that was in the Audi R8 she was driving and the driver in the car she collided with as disturbing and narcissistic. We would like to point out that we don’t know what was left on the cutting room floor.
She starts the video by stating, “The Accident was not my fault,” which has been one of the most controversial points legitimate journalists and internet trolls alike have latched onto. Comments on forums, blogs, and Facebook were filled with negative reaction to the video, which, at the time of this posting, has nearly 180,000 views on YouTube.
Comments about the Jessi Lang video from the Motor Trend Facebook Page:
George Achorn summed up the controversy well in his story on fourtitude.com
“Beyond placing blame entirely on the other driver, I have a few further problems with the Motor Trend piece. First, they don’t give any voice or even a health update for the other driver who was also seriously injured. They talk about that Audi R8 GTR as if it’s still around to be driven. It’s not. It is destroyed. Finally, they never even mention the health status of the second occupant of the car. They mention him several times prior to the crash, including even how he yelled out before impact. However, they never go back to say how he is now.”
When a thread on Reddit popped up with many questioning the status of the passengers, Jessi Lang responded to questions from the community regarding the status of the others involved in the crash.
“The other driver was also medevaced, but I stayed in the hospital three times longer than he did. My passenger also sustained an injury, but he made a complete recovery within several weeks.”
Replying to several posts and interacting with the Redditors quelled most of the negative feelings on the thread. But it seems Motor Trend could have found a way to tell Jessi’s amazing story of recovery, without making her appear as if she were the only person in the accident that mattered.
We wish Jessi Lang and everyone involved well with the rest of the healing process, but I hope Motor Trend will review how they presented this story and learn from this PR blunder.
Watch the original Jessi Lang Video Below:
Images via Screen Grab
Quick Facts: Motor Trend’s Controversial Video
- Story focus: The automotive community reacts to a Motor Trend video about Jessi Lang’s recovery after a serious crash in Germany.
- Why it blew up: Viewers criticized the video for not clearly addressing the condition of the passenger in the Audi R8 or the other driver involved in the crash.
- Most debated line: The video opens with “The accident was not my fault,” which fueled backlash across forums and social media.
- Scale of attention: The post notes the video had nearly 180,000 YouTube views at the time.
- Outside critique cited: The article quotes a passage from a fourtitude.com writeup summarizing concerns about missing context.
- Community response: The post describes Jessi Lang replying in a Reddit thread with an update on the other driver and her passenger.
- Author takeaway: Motor Trend could have told the recovery story while still acknowledging everyone affected, and the presentation became a PR problem.
FAQ
What is the Motor Trend video about?
It covers Jessi Lang’s rehabilitation and return after a major accident while on assignment in Germany.
Why did people call the video controversial?
The article says viewers felt it centered only on Lang and omitted clear updates about the passenger and the other driver, which many found troubling.
What specific detail caused the biggest backlash?
The line “The accident was not my fault” at the start of the video became a lightning rod for criticism.
Did the story include any update on others involved in the crash?
Yes. The post says Lang commented on Reddit that the other driver was also medevaced and that her passenger recovered within several weeks.
What is the author’s main criticism of Motor Trend?
That the video’s framing made it seem like only one person’s injuries mattered, even if that was not the intent.
What is the overall tone of the post?
Supportive of Lang’s recovery, but critical of how Motor Trend presented the story and the backlash it created.
