LOS ANGELES, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- A deadly four-vehicle crash on California's Pacific Coast Highway in February may earn Caitlyn Jenner a criminal charge for manslaughter, officials said Thursday.
A woman died on the highway on Feb. 7 when a Cadillac sport-utility vehicle driven by Jenner rear-ended another vehicle, and triggered a chain reaction of collisions, authorities said.
An investigation has determined that Jenner was driving too fast when she hit the other vehicle, officials said.
The California Highway Patrol said 69-year-old Kim Howe died in the crash when her vehicle was hit head-on by a Hummer SUV.
Investigators say Jenner could potentially face a misdemeanor manslaughter charge. A district attorney will determine whether to pursue the charge.
"There's no felony here because I don't believe that any of her conduct rises to the level of gross negligence and I don't believe it would be filed as a misdemeanor because I don't believe her conduct can be said to have been reckless or even ordinary negligence or what an average person would or wouldn't do in that same scenario," defense attorney Alan Jackson told NBC News Thursday. "Just because you're presented with a police report and an analysis doesn't necessarily mean that those are going rise to fileable charges."
Jackson added that unless some aggravating factor is introduced to the case, he doesn't expect any charge will be filed against Jenner.
Howe's stepchildren have already filed a lawsuit against Jenner in the crash, NBC News reported.
Jenner, formerly known as Bruce before becoming transgender, is a former Olympic gold medalist and reality TV star.
