On a gray Saturday in February 2015, the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu became the scene of a tragedy that would follow one of the world’s most famous families for years. You’ve likely heard the whispers or seen the memes. People ask: did Bruce Jenner kill someone? It’s a heavy question. The short answer is that a woman named Kim Howe died in a car accident involving Jenner, but the legal reality of what happened is much more nuanced than a simple "yes" or "no" headline.
At the time, the world knew her as Bruce Jenner. She was months away from her Vanity Fair debut as Caitlyn. The crash happened during a period of massive personal transition, which only added to the intense media heat. But when you strip away the celebrity names and the paparazzi cameras, you’re left with a four-car pile-up on a dangerous stretch of road.
The Mechanics of the Crash
The accident occurred around noon on February 7, 2015. Traffic on the PCH is notoriously fickle—one minute you're cruising at 50 mph, the next everyone is slamming on their brakes.
According to official reports from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Jenner was driving a black Cadillac Escalade. She was towing an off-road vehicle on a trailer, which added significant weight and increased her stopping distance. Ahead of her, a Toyota Prius driven by Jessica Steindorff had slowed down or stopped. Behind the Prius was a white Lexus driven by 69-year-old Kim Howe.
The Chain Reaction
Jenner’s Escalade slammed into the back of Howe’s Lexus. The force of that impact was enough to propel the Lexus across the center line and into the path of oncoming traffic.
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That’s where the real tragedy struck. A black Hummer H2, traveling in the opposite direction, hit Howe’s Lexus head-on. Kim Howe was killed almost instantly. Jenner’s SUV then continued forward, hitting the back of the Prius.
It was a mess of twisted metal and glass. Seven other people were injured, including a family in the Hummer.
Why Weren't There Criminal Charges?
Whenever a death occurs in a car accident, the first thing investigators look for is criminal negligence. Were they drunk? Were they texting? Were they going 100 mph?
In this case, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office spent months looking at the evidence. They ultimately declined to file any criminal charges. Here is why:
- Speed: Investigators determined Jenner was actually driving slightly below the speed limit. However, they also noted she was driving at an "unsafe speed for the prevailing road conditions," given the traffic and her heavy trailer.
- Sobriety: Jenner stayed at the scene and cooperated fully. She passed a field sobriety test and later provided a blood sample that showed zero drugs or alcohol in her system.
- Distraction: There were rumors she was texting, but her phone records were checked. She wasn't on her phone at the moment of impact.
The District Attorney concluded that while Jenner was negligent, her conduct didn't rise to the level of "unreasonable" required for a vehicular manslaughter charge. Essentially, it was ruled a tragic accident rather than a crime.
The Civil Lawsuits and Settlements
Just because the police didn't put her in handcuffs doesn't mean she walked away without consequences. In the US, the "burden of proof" is much lower in civil court than in criminal court.
Kim Howe’s adult stepchildren filed a wrongful death lawsuit. They claimed Jenner was "reckless." Jenner’s lawyers argued that the stepchildren weren't financially dependent on Howe and therefore didn't have a claim to damages. Eventually, that suit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount in early 2016.
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Jessica Steindorff, the driver of the Prius, also sued. That case was settled as well.
The most significant public payout came in 2018. Jenner agreed to pay $800,000 to the Wolf-Millesi family, who were in the Hummer that struck Howe’s car. This settlement was split among several family members who suffered physical and emotional trauma from the collision.
The Public Perception vs. Legal Reality
There is a massive divide between what the law says and what people feel. On social media, you’ll still see people claim Jenner "got away with murder."
Legally, that’s not true. Murder requires intent. Even vehicular manslaughter requires a level of gross negligence—like drag racing or driving while intoxicated—that simply wasn't present here.
But for the family of Kim Howe, "accidental" doesn't make the loss any easier. Jenner released a statement at the time calling it a "devastating tragedy" and saying she was praying for the families. Since then, she has rarely spoken about it in detail, likely due to the legal settlements which often include non-disclosure clauses.
What You Should Take Away
The PCH crash is a grim reminder of how quickly a normal drive can turn fatal, especially when towing heavy loads.
If you are ever in a situation where a high-profile accident occurs, the legal steps are usually the same:
- Immediate Cooperation: Jenner’s choice to stay at the scene and provide blood samples likely saved her from more aggressive prosecution.
- Civil vs. Criminal: A "not guilty" or "no charges" verdict in criminal court does not protect you from being sued for millions in civil court.
- The "Follow Distance" Rule: The core of the negligence claim was that Jenner was following too closely for her weight class. If you're towing, you need three times the normal stopping distance.
Ultimately, Kim Howe lost her life, and Caitlyn Jenner’s transition was forever linked to this tragedy in the public consciousness. It wasn't a crime in the eyes of the state, but it was a life-altering event for everyone who was on the road that day.
To get a clearer picture of your own liability on the road, it's worth reviewing your state's "Safe Following Distance" laws and checking your auto insurance liability limits. Most standard policies won't cover an $800,000 settlement if you're found at fault in a multi-car pileup.