Fatal Malibu Crash Involving Jenner To Be Presented To Prosecutors As Misdemeanor Case
MALIBU (CBSLA.com) — Deputies on Thursday announced the case of a fatal four-vehicle crash involving Bruce Jenner will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office next week.
KNX 1070's Jon Baird reports the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says the case will be presented for review of a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge against Jenner.
The ex-Olympian rear-ended a white Lexus with his Cadillac Escalade on Pacific Coast Highway on Feb. 7 near Corral Canyon Road, according to the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station.
The Lexus was then forced into oncoming traffic, and subsequently struck a black Toyota Prius before slamming into a Hummer.
The driver of the Lexus, who was later identified as 69-year-old Kim Howe, was killed in the crash.
Jenner, who now identifies as a woman and goes by the name Caitlyn, was not injured in the collision.
Sheriff's Det. Richard Curry said a decision on whether charges are eventually filed is up to prosecutors.
"Because of the traffic violation for the unsafe speed, a death did occur from this collision," said Curry. "So it will be submitted to the D.A.'s office for them to review to see if a misdemeanor charge for vehicular manslaughter is warranted."
Jenner released a statement shortly after the incident occurred that reads in part: "My heartfelt and deepest sympathies go out to the family and loved ones, and to all of those who were involved or injured in this terrible accident. It's a devastating tragedy and I cannot pretend to imagine what this family is going through at this time. I am praying for them. I will continue to cooperate in every way possible."
According to Curry, Jenner's vehicle traveled too fast for the road conditions at the time of the crash.
Meanwhile, Howe's relatives have since filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Jenner.
The driver of the Prius, Hollywood talent manager Jessica Marie Steindorff, has also sued Jenner over the crash.
In July, "Entertainment Tonight" obtained surveillance video from security cameras located on a Metro bus of the fatal crash.
However, Jenner's lawyer, Philp Boesch, explained the new video should weigh in his client's favor.
CBS2/KCAL9 Legal Analyst Steve Meister spoke to reporter Adrianna Weingold about what the investigation means.
"What it means is the investigation is as complete as they think it needs to be to file," said Meister, "to take the case to the district attorney for the district attorney to review."
Meister said for someone to be charged with the involuntary vehicular manslaughter would mean the driver was doing "something" they shouldn't have been doing "that wasn't legal" behind the wheel that proximately caused the death of another person.
Jenner passed a field sobriety test, gave a blood sample and was not on the phone at the time of the crash.
If convicted of the charge, Jenner would face a year in jail.
