The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has declared that Caitlyn Jenner will not be charged for her involvement in a deadly four-car accident that occurred earlier this year in California.
According to the charge evaluation worksheet released by the prosecutors, it was found that Jenner’s driving was not negligent and thus, a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge could not be filed.
The announcement was received with joy by Jenner and her legal team, who had always believed that a thorough and objective investigation would clear the former Olympic decathlon champion of any criminal wrongdoing.
“We are heartened the district attorney has agreed that even a misdemeanor charge would be inappropriate,” says lawyer Blair Berk.
“A traffic accident, however devastating and heartbreaking when a life is lost, is not necessarily a criminal matter.”
The incident took place on February 7th, when Jenner was driving a black Cadillac SUV on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.
According to reports, Jenner’s SUV was the third vehicle involved in a multiple rear-end collision.
Her car hit the car of Kimberly Howe, a 69-year-old woman, from behind, sending it into oncoming traffic where it was hit by another SUV.
The investigation revealed that Jenner was driving slower than the speed limit, slightly slower than the victim’s car.
About four seconds before the accident, Howe hit her brakes and slowed down.
Jenner lifted off the gas pedal of the SUV, which was towing a dune buggy, and applied brakes for 1.5 to 1.9 seconds before the SUV hit the victim’s car.
“Based on facts, cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that suspect’s conduct was unreasonable,” an investigator wrote.
Jenner released a statement after the accident, expressing her heartfelt and deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the victim, as well as to all those who were involved or injured in the tragic accident.
“It is a devastating tragedy, and I cannot pretend to imagine what this family is going through at this time. I am praying for them,” Jenner said.
However, two of Howe’s stepchildren and the driver of a Prius that had stopped in front of Howe’s car are still suing Jenner.
The Prius driver, Jessica Steindorff, was cited for driving on a suspended license.
Despite the outcome of the investigation, the accident remains a devastating tragedy, with the loss of a life and the impact it has had on the family and loved ones of the victim.
