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The Fatal 2015 Malibu Crash: 5 Key Facts About The Accident Involving Caitlyn Jenner

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The question of whether Caitlyn Jenner "ran over someone" stems from a highly publicized and tragic multi-vehicle car accident that occurred on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, on February 7, 2015. This incident resulted in the death of one person and led to intense media scrutiny and a complex legal battle for the reality television star and Olympic icon. As of December 22, 2025, the legal proceedings have been finalized, confirming that while Jenner was involved in a fatal rear-end collision, she faced no criminal charges.

The event remains a significant, dark chapter in the life of the former Olympian, forever linking her name to the tragedy. Understanding the full context requires looking beyond the sensational headlines to the specific details of the collision, the legal outcomes, and the life of the victim.

Caitlyn Jenner: A Brief Biography and Profile

Caitlyn Marie Jenner, born William Bruce Jenner on October 28, 1949, in Mount Kisco, New York, is an American media personality, retired Olympic gold medalist, and political candidate. Her life has been defined by multiple high-profile careers and personal transformations.

  • Birth Name: William Bruce Jenner
  • Date of Birth: October 28, 1949
  • Olympic Career: Jenner rose to international fame after winning the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, setting a then-world record of 8,618 points.
  • Television Career: Following her athletic career, she became a television personality, most famously appearing on the reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians from 2007 to 2021.
  • Gender Transition: In 2015, Jenner publicly came out as a trans woman, changing her name to Caitlyn and starring in her own documentary series, I Am Cait.
  • Political Career: In 2021, she ran as a Republican candidate for Governor of California in the recall election, ultimately losing the bid.

The 2015 Fatal Malibu Car Crash: What Really Happened?

The accident that sparked the persistent question, "Did Caitlyn Jenner run over someone?" was a chain-reaction, four-vehicle collision that occurred on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu. The incident was not a simple case of hitting a pedestrian, but a tragic rear-end collision with catastrophic consequences.

Fact 1: The Collision Was a Chain-Reaction Accident

On February 7, 2015, Caitlyn Jenner was driving her Cadillac Escalade, towing a trailer, when she rear-ended a white Lexus sedan. The impact of Jenner's SUV hitting the Lexus was severe enough to propel the smaller vehicle into oncoming traffic.

The Lexus, driven by 69-year-old Kim Howe, was then struck head-on by a Hummer H2. This secondary impact was the direct cause of Ms. Howe's death at the scene. A fourth vehicle, a Toyota Prius, was also involved in the pile-up.

Fact 2: The Victim Was Kim Howe

The individual who tragically lost her life was Kim Howe, a 69-year-old resident of Calabasas, California. She was an animal rights activist and actress.

Jenner was reported to be apologetic and called the event a "terrible accident." She voluntarily submitted to a field sobriety test at the scene, which she passed, ruling out intoxication as a factor in the collision.

Fact 3: Jenner Avoided Criminal Charges

Despite the severity of the crash and the fatality, Caitlyn Jenner was never criminally charged. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department initially concluded that Jenner had violated a vehicular manslaughter law, suggesting she was driving too fast for the road conditions.

However, the L.A. County District Attorney's office ultimately declined to file misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges. To prove this charge, prosecutors would have needed to show that Jenner was negligent and had violated a basic speed law. The D.A.’s office determined that based on the facts, they could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Jenner's conduct was criminally negligent.

The Legal Aftermath: Civil Settlements and Closure

While the criminal case was dismissed, the civil legal consequences were significant. The families of the victims pursued wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits against Jenner.

Fact 4: Multiple Lawsuits Were Filed

Two major civil lawsuits were filed against Caitlyn Jenner following the crash:

  • Wrongful Death Suit: Kim Howe's adult stepchildren, William Howe and Dana Redmond, filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
  • Personal Injury Suits: The driver of the Toyota Prius, Jessica Steindorff, and the occupants of the Hummer H2 also filed lawsuits against Jenner for injuries they allegedly sustained.

Fact 5: All Lawsuits Were Settled Out of Court

Caitlyn Jenner settled all the civil lawsuits brought against her. The wrongful death suit brought by Howe’s stepchildren was dismissed in late 2015 after a confidential settlement was reached.

Jenner also settled with the other parties involved, with one report indicating she paid $800,000 to the occupants of one of the vehicles for their injuries. By settling the suits, Jenner avoided a public civil trial, bringing the legal chapter of the tragic event to a close.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on the Accident

The answer to the initial question, "Did Caitlyn Jenner run over someone?" is technically no, in the sense of hitting a pedestrian. However, she was the primary initiator of a tragic, multi-car, rear-end collision on the Pacific Coast Highway on February 7, 2015, that directly led to the death of 69-year-old Kim Howe.

The final legal outcome, confirmed years ago, is that Caitlyn Jenner was not found to be criminally negligent and therefore faced no jail time or criminal conviction. She did, however, take responsibility through significant civil settlements with the families of the victims. The event serves as a somber reminder of the rapid and often devastating consequences of even momentary inattention while driving.

The Fatal 2015 Malibu Crash: 5 Key Facts About the Accident Involving Caitlyn Jenner
did caitlyn jenner run over someone
did caitlyn jenner run over someone

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