Brad, what a bummer. But here's the lawyer in me giving you some advise on how to get that scumbag to pay money for what he did.
Your local justice of the peace is actually a judge in LA. He has jurisdiction up to $5000. Tow the FJ to a shop, have your gas tank removed and cleaned (filters and whatever else too), then reinstalled. GET THE RECEIPT! File suit with the justice of the peace for the amount of the repair and allege also inconvenience and mental anguish. Go for the full $5000. DO NOT ALLEGE MORE THAN $5000 OR THE JP WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HEAR THE CLAIM. Get a written money judgment from the JP. If the scumbag cannot pay the judgment, you will then need to garnish his wages from your employer to satisfy the judgment (there's a legal step in between money judgment and garnishment, but first things first). You don't need a lawyer in JP court, which is why it's good.