L.A. County sheriff’s detectives have completed their investigation into a fatal traffic collision involving Caitlyn Jenner, and they have recommended that a manslaughter charge be filed against the former Olympian, a department spokeswoman said Thursday.
The District Attorney’s Office would not comment about the case, but Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida said Thursday that a possible manslaughter charge was recommended by investigators.
The Sheriff’s Department said it expected to submit its final report on the incident to the DA’s office by the end of the month. In it, investigators concluded “that speed was a factor, considering the existing traffic conditions.”
A final decision on what charges — if any — Jenner will face will be made by the DA’s office. Prosecutors could also return the case to the Sheriff’s Department for further investigation.
KTLA legal analyst and defense attorney Alison Triessl said a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge can be punished by up to one year in county jail. It can be difficult to prove driving at an unsafe speed for the road conditions, Triessl said.
“It’s not an easy case for the prosecutor,” Triessl said.
Jenner was driving one of four vehicles involved in the Feb. 7 crash on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu that resulted in the death of 69-year-old Kim Howe.
A case against another surviving driver who was not in possession of a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash was also expected to be presented, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Detective Richard Curry said.
Five children and two adults were hospitalized after the crash, which occurred near Corral Canyon Road.
Jenner, a reality TV star and former Olympic athlete, was not injured.
A vehicular manslaughter investigation into the cause of the crash was opened days after the incident, CNN reported at the time. The investigation planned to focus on all parties involved.
In May, Howe’s adult stepchildren said they filed a civil lawsuit against Jenner.
The suit called for unspecified damages and the cost of the suit.
At the time of the crash, a blue Prius slowed or stopped for unknown reasons and was hit by a white Lexus driven by Howe, Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Philip Brooks said at the time.
Jenner’s black Escalade, which was towing a trailer with an all-terrain vehicle on it, then plowed into the back of Howe’s Lexus, pushing it into oncoming traffic.
The Lexus was struck by an oncoming Hummer, and Howe died at the scene, Brooks said.
All three surviving drivers were cooperating with the investigation, Sheriff’s Cmdr. Mike Parker tweeted the day of the crash.
Jenner passed a voluntary field sobriety test and did not appear to be at fault, Brooks said that same day.
A day after the crash, Jenner released the following statement:
“My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and loved ones, and to all of those who were involved or injured in this terrible accident,” the statement read. “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. I will continue to cooperate in every way possible.”
At the time of the crash, Caitlyn Jenner was known as Bruce Jenner. She spoke for the first time publicly about being transgender in April.
Jenner gained worldwide attention at the 1976 Olympic decathlon when she made a world record score for the 10-discipline event.
She has continued to gain notoriety since, appearing in commercials and on TV, including reality shows “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and “I Am Cait.”