“I Am Cait” star Caitlyn Jenner won’t be charged with manslaughter or any crime in the February car crash that killed one person on the Pacific Coast Highway, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Sixty-five year old Kim Howe was killed when her Lexus was struck by a Hummer on Feb. 7.
Footage of the collision was released in July, and appeared to show Jenner’s Cadillac Escalade hitting Howe’s Lexus as well as a Prius driven by Jessica Steindorff. Howe’s vehicle crossed into opposing traffic, where it collided with a Hummer.
Jenner, who was not injured, passed a field sobriety test and provided a blood sample for drug and alcohol testing.
The former Olympian, who came out as a transgender woman earlier this year in an emotional interview with Diane Sawyer, maintained she was not driving recklessly, and cited the trailer she was towing as a factor in the crash.
After the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department completed its investigation, the case was referred the cast to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, who have declined to press charges against Jenner.
While criminal charges are off the table, Jenner is still being sued by Howe’s stepchildren, who allege that Jenner was “careless and negligent” in the crash. Their suit alleges that Jenner’s vehicle hit Howe’s car, pushing it into oncoming traffic. According to the suit, Howe’s death “caused plaintiffs to suffer enormous damages and losses.” Jenner is also being sued by Steindorff. Jeffrey Wolf, the attorney for Kim Howe’s stepdaughter has this response
Jeffrey Wolf, attorney for Kim Howe’s stepdaughter, issued a statement on Wednesday: “The DA’s decision not to pursue criminal charges places even more importance on our clients’ lawsuit. It is abundantly clear is that Ms. Jenner’s inattentive driving caused this rear-end collision that resulted in Ms. Howe’s death. Now, ultimately a jury trial in this civil case is the only way to hold Ms. Jenner accountable for causing Kim Howe’s death.”
Pamela Chelin contributed to this story.
The Transformation of Caitlyn Jenner: From Olympic Gold Medalist to Vanity Fair Trans Cover Star (Photos)
Caitlyn was born Bruce Jenner was born on October 28, 1949 in Mount Kisco, New York. She earned a football scholarship to Graceland College, but a knee injury stopped her from pursuing it. Then, she veered towards decathlon and graduated in 1973 with a degree in physical education.
Where are they now – Bruce Jenner by Fan Fuego
At the Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada, in 1976, Jenner placed first in the decathlon, setting the world record of 8,616 points and seen here crossing the finish line.
Where are they now – Bruce Jenner by Fan Fuego
In 1976, Jenner was awarded the James E. Sullivan award presented to the "outstanding amateur athlete in the United States."
Where are they now – Bruce Jenner by Fan Fuego
Jenner speaking at the 2001 Service America Awards Presentation Ceremony on June 11.
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Jenner took part in the Celebrities Race to Make Dreams Come True in August 23, 2003.
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Jenner and her two daughters, Kendall and Kyle, at the film premiere of the "Teacher's Pet" on January 12, 2004.
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Jenner and now ex-wife Kris at the HollyRods Designcure 7th Annual Benefit on July 9, 2005.
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Jenner at the 2006 ESPY Awards on July 12.
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Jenner and family at the "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" premiere on Oct. 9, 2007.
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Jenner and family at the "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" Season 2 Launch on March 19, 2008.
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Jenner attended the event where Lamar Odom launched Rich Soil at Kitson LA on October 21, 2009.
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Jenner and ex-wife Kris at the Endless Youth & Life Store Opening Celebration, November 11, 2010.
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Jenner with ex-wife Kris at the City of Hope Honors Shelli and Irving Azoff with the 2011 Spirit of Life Award event on May 7, 2011.
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Jenner at the 5th Annual George Lopez Celebrity Golf Classic on May 7, 2012.
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Jenner at the Annual Charity Day Hosted by Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC on September 11, 2013. Here, Jenner looks younger, and is sporting a longer hair do.
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At the time, this was one of the most highly-talked about photos of Jenner, taken in January of 2014. Here, she was seen wearing a bandage around her throat, which many speculated was because she had her Adam's apple reduced.
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Jenner at the 13th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Gala on April 4, 2014.
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The former Olympian introduced herself as Caitlyn Jenner in an exclusive cover shoot for the July 2015 issue of Vanity Fair magazine.
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The athlete formerly known as Bruce underwent dramatic changes to both her public image and physical appearance leading up to the announcement of her transition
Caitlyn was born Bruce Jenner was born on October 28, 1949 in Mount Kisco, New York. She earned a football scholarship to Graceland College, but a knee injury stopped her from pursuing it. Then, she veered towards decathlon and graduated in 1973 with a degree in physical education.