Additional Coverage:
A Minneapolis DJ is facing mounting medical bills after being struck by a Tesla Cybertruck art car at Burning Man.
James “JP” Patrick was meditating near his camp Wednesday night when the incident occurred. According to a fundraising page set up for Patrick, he was sitting peacefully outside his camp, illuminated by a light around his neck, when the electric vehicle ran over his feet. The near-silent vehicle pinned him down until he was able to call for help and the driver reversed.
Patrick’s wife, Jade, and their two children were at the festival but did not witness the accident. She described the severity of her husband’s injuries to the San Francisco Gate, stating she saw the inside of his foot, “bone and tendon” exposed. While thankful her family didn’t witness the impact, she admitted the extent of the damage made the seriousness of the situation immediately clear.
The driver of the Cybertruck reportedly stopped and cooperated fully with efforts to get Patrick medical attention. He was airlifted to a Reno hospital where he underwent reconstructive surgery. Jade Patrick called the incident a “genuine accident” and declined to comment on whether the family intends to pursue legal action against the driver or Burning Man organizers.
The Cybertruck in question was one of the festival’s many “Mutant Vehicles,” creatively modified cars that are a staple of Burning Man. While acknowledging her husband faces a long recovery and will be unable to walk for months, Jade Patrick expressed gratitude that his injuries weren’t more severe.
She noted that a slight shift in the vehicle’s trajectory could have resulted in life-threatening injuries to his head or chest. The family now faces approximately $50,000 in medical expenses.