Montreal man sues Ferrari Quebec after life-threatening injuries caused by explosion of Luc Poirier’s car at dealership

Richard Papazian was placed in a medically-induced coma after suffering from second- and third-degree burns. (Photo provided by a source)

A Montreal man who suffered life-threatening injuries as the result of an explosion at a Ferrari dealership is suing the concession and several other parties for $20.8 million, alleging the incident was caused by “gross negligence, recklessness and willful misconduct.”

According to court documents obtained by CTV News, the car that exploded at the dealership was a consigned Ferrari 360 that belonged to Luc Poirier, a multimillionaire Quebec entrepreneur with an extensive collection of Italian cars.

The dealership belongs to Gad Bitton, a wealthy businessman, philanthropist and president of the Holand Automotive Group.

Avid car enthusiast

An avid car enthusiast, Richard Papazian had given Ferrari Quebec a $20,000 deposit for the purchase of a Ferrari 296 GTS Fiorano in July 2022.

As time progressed, documents show Papazian decided he wanted to consider options.

He went to the Ferrari Quebec dealership located on Jean-Talon Street Ouest on Aug. 7, 2024.

He said his sales representative, Jean-Daniel Bienvenue, named in the lawsuit, offered to show him other cars, including pre-owned Ferraris and a Mercedes Black series.

Bienvenue invited Papazian to the second floor of the dealership to show him a 2004 Ferrari 360 Pista Spider belonging to Poirier.

According to the statement of claim, “Bienvenue was eager to present it to Richard and, consistently with customary practices for high-performance sports cars, Bienvenue wanted to demonstrate the sound of its engine.”

Bienvenue attempted to start the engine multiple times.

Suddenly, there was an explosion that engulfed Papazian in flames.

Life-threatening injuries

Papazian, a husband and father of two, was rushed to the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) burn centre in critical condition, where he was placed in a medically-induced coma.

He suffered from second- and third-degree burns to more than 56 per cent of his body.

He underwent several failed skin grafts, multiple surgeries and required dialysis because of deteriorating kidney function.

Papazian’s wife took an indefinite leave of absence from work to care for him.

He emerged from his coma about four weeks after the explosion but continues to undergo regular rehabilitation sessions.

‘A dangerously compromised vehicle’

According to the statement of claim, after the explosion, Papazian learned that the fuel rail and injectors had been removed from the engine of Poirier’s car by master technician Daniel Greco in July 2024, weeks ahead of his visit to the dealership.

The lawsuit alleges this was done “without taking any precaution to prevent anyone from starting the engine, thus rendering the Ferrari 360 a dangerously compromised vehicle that had become a ticking time bomb.”

Heavily-redacted police report

CTV News obtained a copy of an incident report prepared by Montreal police (SPVM) after the explosion.

The report concludes the fire was “accidental” and caused by “a series of human actions” that left Papazian with serious injuries.

However, several pages of the lengthy document are heavily redacted.

The SPVM declined CTV News’ request for an interview, but provided a written statement.

“The SPVM is not in a position to comment on the lawsuit referenced in your request. This matter concerns a civil proceeding between private parties,” the statement reads.

“As a public security organization, the SPVM must refrain from making any statement that could be perceived as influencing, validating, or contradicting matters currently before the courts. This includes any comment on allegations, evidence, or legal arguments presented within civil proceedings.”

Ferrari Quebec’s response

CTV News reached out to the lawyer representing Ferrari Quebec, Gad Bitton, Jean-Daniel Bienvenue, Daniel Greco and the other parties named in the lawsuit, but did not receive a response.

According to the lawsuit, Ferrari has not returned Papazian’s initial $20,000 deposit for the Ferrari 296 GTS Fiorano he originally intended to purchase.