Crash participants sue each other

Brandy and a man hurt in a deadly freeway crash involving her Range Rover sue each other.

Photo: Crash participants sue each other

The 20-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.

Brandy had no immediate comment on the lawsuit.

"She's just responding to pieces of litigation as they come in and doesn't want to comment at this time," Edwin McPherson, an attorney representing Brandy, said Tuesday.

A California Highway Patrol report said Brandy's 2007 Range Rover failed to slow in traffic and was doing 65 mph (105 kph) 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 (740 EUR)fine.