Celebrity Justice
Brandy Crash -- Dead Woman at Fault?

TMZ has learned the hang-up in deciding whether to file vehicular manslaughter charges against Brandy is that Brandy may have been a victim, not a culprit.

A CHP source tells TMZ the woman who died in the car accident involving Brandy actually struck the vehicle in front of her before Brandy made any contact. The law enforcement source says Awatef Aboudihaj, the woman who died, struck the car in front of her -- which was going 65 mph, and then slammed on her brakes. We're told the sudden stop caused Brandy to hit the dead woman's car.

What's more, L.A. County Coroner spokesperson Captain Ed Winter tells TMZ that toxicology reports show Aboudihaj had "slight traces" of marijuana in her system at the time of the crash.

The L.A. City Attorney has until the end of the business day on Friday to decide whether to file criminal charges against Brandy -- that's when the one-year statute of limitations runs out. Sources tell TMZ there is significant division in the City Attorney's office, and a decision still has not been made. The problem for the City Attorney: if they file manslaughter charges, they have to prove Brandy did something negligent -- and we're told that could be difficult if not impossible.

Stay tuned...


Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Music

Reader Comments

(Page 1 of 12) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. A rear-end accident is ALWAYS the fault of the person behind. Even if the dead woman hit the car in front of her, Brandy was at fault for hitting the dead woman's car. A driver is always to allow enough distance to be able to stop before hitting a car directly in front of them.

Posted at 11:56AM on Dec 26th 2007 by Petunia

2. It was the dead ladys fault she got rear-ended? WTF is wrong with that picture?

Posted at 12:00PM on Dec 26th 2007 by FlBiker

3. Are they trying to say they just found this out ? Well we all know timing is everything

Posted at 12:00PM on Dec 26th 2007 by JATY

4. Petunia--EXACTLY. People ride each others tails, and you are suppose to be able to stop.

Posted at 12:02PM on Dec 26th 2007 by JoanMeister

5. Hollyweird justice strikes again!

Posted at 12:04PM on Dec 26th 2007 by addicted to trash magazines

6. Well, Petunia, you dont know if Brandy was too close to the woman's car or not. When someone in front of you stops suddenly on a highway, it's pretty difficult to stop quickly enough when everyone is driving at such high speeds. No matter how much precautions you take on the highway, or driving anywhere in general, anything can happen.

Posted at 12:04PM on Dec 26th 2007 by heather

7. Petunia shut up..........Accidents happen all the freaking time. Yay for Brandy!!!

Posted at 12:05PM on Dec 26th 2007 by Jess

8. "a rear end accident is not always the fault of the person behind. that is an urban legend. in law you can never say always."

ROFL. Logical thought is now an urban legend. I think you've been hitting the eggnog too hard.

Posted at 12:05PM on Dec 26th 2007 by Petunia

9. "Petunia shut up..........Accidents happen all the freaking time. Yay for Brandy!!!"

How much is she paying your agency?

Posted at 12:07PM on Dec 26th 2007 by Petunia

10. Why do they always try to change the law for rich people!? I agree with Comment #1. Brandy is at fault regardless. She probably wasn't paying attention. She was probably looking on the floor of the car for her "career"! She's a has been.

Posted at 12:07PM on Dec 26th 2007 by Monica

11. a rear-end accident is NOT ALWAYS the fault of the driver behind. the next time someone slams their brakes in front of you when your shopping, and you hit them, does that mean it's not your fault, or it is your fault? yes, you need to allow car spaces in between cars when driving, but that really does not prevent all accidents. I am sure that they are divided b/c they don't feel like they want to let another "celebrity go", but it would be very wrong if she was not at fault, and then to charge her with it. It's a sham they didn't release this sooner, as we know how the public opinion can get out of hand sometimes...

Posted at 12:08PM on Dec 26th 2007 by michelle

12. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl600.pdf

End of discussion!

Posted at 12:10PM on Dec 26th 2007 by Prince of Bel Air

13. Damn i have an agency? no one told me of this.........The point is if you're infront of me and you hit your emergency brakes I'm not guaranteed to stop in time IT HAPPENS. And don't you find it rather weird that the dead lady had marijuana in her system. Why is nobody talkign about that? oh yea cause celebs are not people and they are always at fault!

Posted at 12:11PM on Dec 26th 2007 by Jess

14. make up,text messaging, filing their nails. who knew what any of these broads was doing behind the wheel at the time of the accident....

Posted at 12:13PM on Dec 26th 2007 by RoughDaddy

15. I know the TMZ haters are really gonna hate this news. I can't wait to read all the comments.

Posted at 12:17PM on Dec 26th 2007 by Bird

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