LOS ANGELES, May 28, 2007

Brandy, Driver Sue Each Other Over Crash

Singer Claims California Man Caused December Accident In Which One Woman Died

  • Singer Brandy Norwood in a June 20, 2006, file photo. The singer was involved in a crash Dec. 30 in which one woman died.

    Singer Brandy Norwood in a June 20, 2006, file photo. The singer was involved in a crash Dec. 30 in which one woman died.  (AP Photo/Lucas Jackson, file)

(AP)  Brandy and a man who was hurt in a deadly freeway crash involving her Range Rover are suing each other.

The 28-year-old singer-actress and Mallory Ham of Simi Valley accuse each other of negligence in suits filed last week in Superior Court.

In court papers filed Wednesday, Brandy Norwood contends that Ham caused the Dec. 30 crash on the San Diego Freeway in Sherman Oaks. She also denies allegations made against her in a previous lawsuit, asserts her constitutional right against self-incrimination and requests a jury trial.

Ham's suit, filed Friday, contends that the singer drove recklessly and seeks unspecified damages.

Photos: Celebrity Mug Shots
A call to a Brandy spokesman seeking comment was not immediately returned Tuesday.

A California Highway Patrol report said Brandy's 2007 Range Rover failed to slow in traffic and was doing 65 mph when it struck another car that in turn was hit by Ham's vehicle.

The crash killed Awatef Aboudihaj, 38, of Los Angeles. Her husband has sued both Brandy and Ham for reckless driving. Aboudihaj's parents and her two children also have separate suits pending against Brandy.

The city attorney's office is still deciding whether to charge Brandy with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, spokesman Frank Mateljan said Tuesday.

If charged and convicted, she could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.



© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Share:
  • Share
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Mixx
  • CBSNews.com on Digg
Add a Comment
by dylanxxv June 1, 2007 6:58 PM EDT
BTW...This happened in December...Why are they "still deciding" whether to charge her?
Reply to this comment
by dylanxxv June 1, 2007 6:40 PM EDT
The nappy headed HO can't sing, act or drive...She needs to move to the ghetto and stay off the public airwaves...
Reply to this comment
by Sonny1961 May 30, 2007 5:31 PM EDT
juliemd, wake up! rear-ending a car doesn't imply fault - ask any cop. Oh, and being a "black celeb" has nothing to do with it. Being a "celeb" is more of an issue, because America kisses celeb-***.
Reply to this comment
by lanaedawn May 30, 2007 2:15 PM EDT
I have rear ended someone and the police determined it was their fault. If the family is suing both of them it seems that perhaps Ham was doing a bit of reckless driving himself.
Reply to this comment
by apdepetris May 30, 2007 12:30 PM EDT
"slams into the rear end of the vehicle in front of her causing a chain reaction that caused this man's wife to be killed and SHE is suing HIM?!"
Posted by justfacts2 at 05:17 PM : May 29, 2007

This particular lawsuit is from someone else involved in the crash, Mallory Ham, not the husband of the woman that was killed. The husband of the woman killed is suing both Brandy and Ham for reckless driving along with other members of her family (parents and children) who are also suing Brandy.
Reply to this comment
by wogerwabbit May 30, 2007 12:52 AM EDT
just another case of my lawyersdick is bigger than your lawyersdick.
Reply to this comment
by juliemd May 29, 2007 9:51 PM EDT
Well, whenever you are driving a vehicle which REAR ENDS another vehicle, you are AT FAULT.
But, since Brandy has money, she'll fight an OJ-like fight. Sometimes that works...no justice done.
Reply to this comment
by justfacts2 May 29, 2007 8:17 PM EDT
Let me get this straight. Brandy speeds down the highway at a high rate of speed, talks on her cell phone, slams into the rear end of the vehicle in front of her causing a chain reaction that caused this man's wife to be killed and SHE is suing HIM?! Is she nucking futs or something?! How dare she! I hope her lawsuit is thrown out and she loses everything. This greedy b!tch deserves nothing!
Reply to this comment
by catherinetodd May 29, 2007 8:17 PM EDT
Dear markjessup at 04:59 PM,

"its to bad they didnt test brandy for marijuana because she was stoned"

That's quite a libelous allegation you have made against Brandy here online.

Just where did you get your information? Are you prepared to back this allegation up? Where you there, or are you privy to police and court records?

What makes you believe that Brandy was not tested for drugs? Are you saying the police didn't do their job? Are you involved in any of the lawsuits against Brandy? Why would you make a comment like this? Have you been arrested and "tested for drugs?" Is that where you get your expertise?

What kind of person are you?
Reply to this comment

Exclusive Webshow

Grammy winner Shakira on her music career, philanthropy and being sexy. Watch Now

  • MOST POPULAR
Discussed
  1. Sarah Palin's Popularity Grows, Poll Finds

    (457 recent comments)

Latest News
News in Pictures
Scroll Left Scroll Right
Connect with CBS News

Stay connected with the CBS News using your favorite social networks and online news applications: