I haven’t reported on this yet as I feel really sorry for Brandy and the victim and don’t want to think about it too much, but she caused an accident on an LA freeway last month which led to the death of a woman whose car she hit in a multi-car pileup.
It happened at 10:30 AM on December 30, 2006 on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Brandy was driving her 2007 Land Rover at 65 mph and did not notice that cars in front of her had slowed considerably. We’re told Brandy’s vehicle struck a 2005 Toyota. The Toyota then hit a 1989 Toyota. The 2005 Toyota then slid sideways and hit the center divider. As the 2005 Toyota came to a halt, it was struck by a 1988 Acura…
We’re told the driver of the 2005 Toyota, Awatef Aboudihaj, was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in critical condition and she died the next day. Aboudihaj, a 38-year-old married mother of one, was a Los Angeles resident.
Brandy was said to be wandering around distraught afterwards on dangerous freeway saying it was her fault.
The California Highway Patrol is recommending that she be charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, but she has not been officiallly charged yet. The case is under review by the city’s attorney’s office.
A source in the police department told TMZ that they believe she was driving too fast and that her negligence caused the crash. They do not believe she was grossly negligent, which I guess means she is at fault but that the case is not clear cut or something. Brandy was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
A civil rights group has chimed in, most likely to get publicity for their cause. They’re saying that Brandy is being made an example of because she’s a famous celebrity, and that it’s not fair.
Meanwhile Brandy is being sued for $50 million in a civil suit by the victim’s family. They claim she was driving recklessly when she hit Aboudihaj’s car.
This is just a sad story all around, and it must be devastating for Brandy and for the victim’s family. I wasn’t paying attention once and caused a minor car accident. I was super tired but that was no excuse. I can’t imagine causing someone’s death.
Unflattering header image of Brandy at the U.S. Open is from BrandyFan.com.
There was no indication that Brandy was even talking on the phone let alone distracted by any other means of present day technology, this was just an accident. Truthfully speaking there she may not even be responsible for her death. There were several other cars involved in the accident including the ACTUAL CAR (An ACURA) that actually killed the woman. These things have to be taken into account, how fast the other cars were going, what manuevers the made (or didn’t) in order to avoid the crash, the road conditions. Brandy, is a victim as well. A victim of an accident turned deadly and a victim of money hungry rats!
I think that it’s such bullshit that the victim’s family are using their tragic loss to make a shitload of cash. People make me sick.
Kinda like to see her face trial on this one. As far as the civil rights group goes, I believe their actions is completely vicious. Let’s take the name of the victim (Awatef Aboudihaj), it dint sound very white to me. Why the victim’s family don’t have the same access to a civil rights group?
Here’s we go, the racism card is out again and I see a new O.J. at the horizon…
I agree with Toubrouk. I feel sorry for both sides, but the fact is she did something stupid and someone died. Now she has to face the consequences. It actually looks like they (the state) are being pretty fair and I hope Brandy has enough sense not to let the stupid civil rights groups start talking for her.
She was probably talking on her cell phone as I see most people do when they are driving.
The LA freeways are too intense to do anything else but drive.
It is so easy to do something stupid, but it doesn’t mean that its not your fault. She shouldn’t get jail but she should pay the victim’s family some damages.
but not 50 million. Thats crazy.
50 Million is the starting number here. I bet it will be settled out of courts for an undisclosed ammount.
50 million is a bit high, although Brandy did make alot of money in the 90’s. Didn’t she start singing when she was a kid? We don’t know how much she got paid for that stupid show last year. Celebrities do make alot of money for doing nothing.
I think she should be charged, that woman did die and should face a lawsuit.
Why didn’t they do something at the scene?
It is a very unfortunate situation and the family has every right to sue. Seeing the track record of how the LAPD deals with “justice” for Hollywood Stars (none of us common folk would get the same treatment), I’m sure the family may have felt this would be the only way to find some sort of justice or get this into a court.
I’m sort of torn on this one, because the question is if it wasn’t Brandy that caused the accident, would they be suing for damages? Or are they doing it for the money? I think that she should pay the fine, and perhaps some damages to the family, but 50 million? That’s a bit much to me. Just because she has more money doesn’t mean she should have to pay three or four times or more what the rest of us would.
I do feel really sorry for both sides, though. Luckily the only car wreck I’ve ever been in just involved me.
Was the woman that died wearing a seatbelt?
I’m sorry, but their is negligence, and there is accidents!! My cousin was killed last month by a drunk driver, and he deserves to be in jail. Her parents suing Brandy for $50 million ain’t gonna bring their daughter back!! They are taking advantage of Brandy’s celebrity. She was not under the influence!! If she were, then fine, sue away!!! If you live in LA like I do, there are DAILY accidents on that damned 405 freeway!! I’m sure Brandy is in her own hell over this. The parents are being vindictive and greedy. My aunt isn’t suing the family of the guy who killed her only daughter!!!
Oh please, she’s being made an example of because she’s a celeb? I suppose all the times she was made an example of in a positive light were okay then?
You can’t have it both ways.
If the woman caused an accident – let alone a pile up – she has to deal with the consequences. You know, like everybody else.
It’s unfortunate but what would they have happen? Seriously, somebody’s dead. Come on.
Come to think of it, I’m starting to understand why some celebs have their own drivers.
ps – $50 mill is too much but I still think she has to deal with it. I’m pretty sure common people get sued for outlandish amounts too. Relatively speaking though.
i think she should rot in prison for this. God aint gonna help her now, because this b*tch is a scientologist. that jst shows you, practice evil, you get it back. she cold have chosen ANY religion cept scientology but now shes gonna be spit on by society for the rest of her life
When I heard about the Brandy accident, I had only one thought: SHE WAS TALKING ON THE DAMN PHONE.
How many more people are going to die because there are so many cellphone addicts out there driving and not paying attention, especially young females, I’ve noticed!?
Somebody please lobby for a law against driving while chatting away on the phone. It’s deadly, people.
Britain was smart about it from the start, and now, I’m told they can take your car away from you if you are caught with a cellphone (although you can still use a hands-free one, I think).
If I were Brandy, I’d want to do the jail time. That way I could serve my penance and put closier to it. If all she gets is a big money fine (which she should have to pay some, The dead woman’s husband will need to hire someone to help raise the daughter) she will forever feel guilty. Money pales in comparison to the loss of life.
They will not take your car away from you for using a cell phone in Britain but you will automatically get points on your license and a fine if you are caught. Hands free mobiles are still legal which I think is wrong. Its just as distracting having a conversation with someone while driving even if you dont actually have the phone in your hand.
I think that brandy should be severly punished for this! why because she is a celeberity with money she should get off scott free
i don’t think so!she killed somebody and you know its a shame 5omil she isnt even worth that much! well thats to bad she should have been paying attention.i personally would like to see brandy hauled off to prision. where not only does she belong , but i would like to see her live there for ya know ever!
you know what i think that brandy needs to be put away and this time for good. i wish that they would stop having her go through trial and just say that she is guilty already. i mean what is there to talk about she killed a women and now she has to pay for it. she has no one else to blame for this but herself. she thinks because she was a singer and she was some what of a somebody that she could get away with it. i don’t think so honey if you did the crime you should do the time they do not just say that for no reason and that is what i think.