Bruce Jenner Responds to Wrongful Death Lawsuit Stemming From Fatal Car Crash

Former Olympian was involved in the accident last February

By Lily Harrison May 27, 2015 6:31 PMTags
Bruce JennerSplash News/AKM-GSI

Bruce Jenner has responded to a wrongful death lawsuit filed against him after a fatal car accident this past February in Malibu.

(At this time, Bruce Jenner is choosing to not live publicly in the media as a woman and will be referred to as Bruce Jenner and with male pronouns until he specifies otherwise.)

The wreck left one driver, 69-year-old Kimberly Howe, dead, and five others injured after the four-car pileup on the Pacific Coast Highway.

According to court papers obtained by E! News, Jenner describes the car accident as "a terrible tragedy" but claims the Plaintiffs are "financially independent and successful…living and working and residing out-of-state for decades, who do not and cannot allege that they are financially dependent upon their stepmother for the necessities of life." 

In early May, Howe's two adult stepchildren, William Howe and Dana Redmond, filed the lawsuit alleging that the impact of Jenner's SUV "propelled" Kimberly into the other lane.

"The defendants and each of them were also otherwise careless, negligent and/or otherwise responsible in causing the death of decedent and damage to her effects," the suit contended. "The death of Kimberly Howe caused plaintiffs to suffer enormous damages."

William and Dana demanded a jury trial as well as unspecified damages. They also claim that Kimberly's death caused them to lose "the love, affection, support, comfort, society, financial support and more from [Kimberly] upon whom they were dependent" and incur other expenses "to their great detriment."

Shortly after the accident took place, Jenner released the following statement to E! News: "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."

He continued, "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."

TMZ was the first to report the story.

—Additional reporting by Baker Machado.