Singer and actress Brandy has been hit by a $50 million wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the family of the woman killed in a highway accident involving the star last month.
The news comes a day after Los Angeles prosecutors told the R&B star she could be charged with misdemeanor manslaughter.
Today’s lawsuit accuses 27-year-old Brandy Norwood of "driving recklessly in the freeway when her car collided with Awatif Aboudehaj's car" on December 30.
38-year-old Aboudehaj died in hospital the day after the accident from “major” injuries, including multiple pelvic fractures.
Aboudehaj’s parents are seeking $50 million in compensation from Brandy.
But the family‘s lawyer, Lotfy Mrich, says: "I don't think any amount of money that can be given to them will compensate them for such a loss.
Mrich also denies claims that from Project Islamic HOPE that Brandy is being used as a “political trophy” and being “unfairly” targeted “for prosecution because of her celebrity".
"Be it Brandy Norwood or someone else ... the plaintiffs will seek the amount of damages that they believe is fair," he said.
City attorney Rocky Delgadillo also criticised the claims in a news conference, insisting: "We will treat this case like every other case and treat it very seriously because someone has died."
Adding: “We look at cases without regard to anyone's status, whether it's an average Joe or someone more prominent."
In the accident, Brandy’s car failed to slow down in her Land Rover on L.A’s 405 Freeway and hit the back of Aboudehaj’s Toyota Corolla. The impact sent Aboudehaj’s car ploughing into a third car. Aboudehaj’s vehicle was sent speeding across the highway before being struck by another vehicle.
If Brandy is charged with manslaughter, she could be jailed for a maximum of one year and fined $1,000. But first-time offenders usually get probation.
