Celebrity Justice
Brandy Almost Off the Hook

The clock is ticking for the L.A. City Attorney's Office to file criminal charges against R&B singer Brandy, who was involved in a multiple car crash that killed Awatef Aboudihaj, the mother of two boys. The first anniversary of the accident, December 30, is fast approaching, but Brandy has not been charged.



Sources tell TMZ that the City Attorney's Office plans to make a decision at the very last moment. If charges aren't filed, chances are the public wouldn't notice over the holidays -- and the case would quietly go away.

TMZ spoke exclusively with Bill Sayed, lawyer for the victim's husband, Marouane Hdidou. Sayed questioned the delay, saying, "There is a death and obviously reckless driving involved, which is enough evidence for an involuntary manslaughter charge. As to why the City Attorney has taken this long? I think we would all like to know."

Over the past year, Brandy has pursued her usual activities; shopping, partying and living a normal life. Sayed says, "Brandy continues to live life with really no negative results ... doing what Brandy is doing ... as if though nothing has occurred here." He also describes how life has become a roller coaster for his client. "Thanksgiving just passed and he was all alone -- he has no family here."

On December 30, 2006, around 10:30AM, Brandy was driving her brand new Range Rover northbound on the 405 Freeway at about 65 mph -- and didn't notice when traffic in front of her slowed down. She then hit Awatef Aboudijah's car, which veered to the left and was hit by another vehicle before crashing into the center divider. Awatef died at the hospital eight hours later, from massive internal bleeding.

Tags: Bill Sayed, BillSayed, Brandy, Brandy car accident, Brandy car crash, Brandy Norwood, BrandyCarAccident, BrandyCarCrash, BrandyNorwood, car crash, CarCrash, City Attorney, CityAttorney, criminal charges, CriminalCharges

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(Page 15 of 15) Previous 15 Comments

211. No matter if it was an accident or not, there are consequences. Very obsviously, when you have money and are famous those sonsequences are dramtically reduced.

If this goes to trial and a jury finds her guilty the punishment needs to be quick and swift.

Posted at 10:16PM on Nov 29th 2007 by Pheno

212. God bless Brandy and God bless the family who lost there love one. We must remember it was a accident. GOD BLESS ALL !!!

Posted at 5:59PM on Nov 29th 2007 by Hopeful

213. all this is saying is you can get off anything if you have money.

Posted at 7:17PM on Nov 29th 2007 by donna

214. In my opinion she is at fault. Had she been paying attention and slowed down to stop as the other cars did she would have never hit that woman's car. She failed to stop and then rear ended someone. Whether that person dies or not, you are at fault if you rear-end someone. Especially if you did not attempt to stop and you were not paying attention. The district attorney needs to file charges. She is no different from the rest of us. We all should receive the same treatment. Then again, this is Hollywood and it wouldn't be a story if the district courts didn't play it out till the very end. If she does not get charged with this,then what does that say to others? It's okay to not pay attention to traffic when your driving? Go ahead and hit someone and we wont punish you??? Take responsibility and accept your punishment.

Posted at 8:26PM on Nov 29th 2007 by Tammy

215. not quick and swift (same meaning) but it needs to start and end here. Send the message that no matter if you have money and are famous you will be dealt with in the proper manner.

Posted at 10:26PM on Nov 29th 2007 by Pheno

216. It doesn't matter if shes famous, and it doesn't matter if she was (or wasn't) drunk. A woman lost her life because Brandy was not attentive enough at the wheel of her car.

Now, if it was just an accident and she was sober, I wouldn't go so far as to calling her a killer. But if this had happened to any normal person in a normal situation, there would still be some inquiry into the situation, and I'm 100% sure there would be some punishment on the guilty persons.

Nobody is perfect, but she should take some time and reflect on this and get herself straightened out. And she's not only a role model to millions around the world, but what about her daughter? The least she could do is be a grown up and (wo)man up and take SOME responsibility for what happened.
She can't bring back a wife, and mother, but she should offer to pay for the funeral costs and some money for the family in pain in suffering.

And we should all finally shut up about it and let the family have their time to grieve.

Posted at 8:22PM on Dec 1st 2007 by KarynLee

217. For all you morons who think that people wanting Brandy to pay for her accident are morons:

If anyone permanently damages property or kills a person due to negligence should not be held responsible, you're just asking me to go out and drive really fast in my car, because it will now be my prerogative. I guarantee that I won't be drunk, won't have taken drugs, won't be on my cell phone, and will definitely have my driver's license and insurance, and definitely not have the intention to kill. And, when I bash into cars in front of me at 65 MPH and claim that it could happen to anyone, I will thank you for your support that I will have the freedom to keep on keepin' on driving like a moron. I'M NOT PERFECT, so there is absolutely no reason why I should be held responsible for all the pain I'm about to cause. It's great to know that there are people who believe in my wrecklessness as just another part of being human. Come on, perfect people, are you with me? Can I get an AMEN!!!

Posted at 4:43AM on Nov 30th 2007 by death penalty baby

218. Baby VF, correct yourself. A STEP-MOTHER of two is dead. Not that it matters but Brandy didn't accidentally kill the biological mom.

Beyond that, I agree with you. Brandy should get vechicular manslaughter charged on her. If she were an ordinary woman, she would've been charged already!

At least you are following law and logic. Some of these idiots on here would have her on death row if they had her way. To that, I say again, if Brandy needs to be on death row then the prisons (which are already overcrowded) would be full of people! Vehicular manslaughter? YES! Civil suit? YES! Death Row? HELL NO!

Posted at 2:28PM on Nov 30th 2007 by egriffin

219. Thats why its called INVOLUNARY manslaughter, cause she didnt mean to cause the accident, this bit** is guilty and its because her nasty ass has money is why she hasnt been charged yet. I'm sure the family will file a civil suit either way and put a nice drain to her bank account. I cant wait for it, dumb ass celebs think they are above the law

Posted at 6:27PM on Nov 30th 2007 by Izzy

220. This lawyer just wants some money!!
This is really ridiculous b/c it was an accident. Although it was bad she didn't mean to do it.... accident....
She is not suppose to just curl up and not live, I mean she has to still continue her life. When someone dies life doesn't stop. He is being really stupid about the situation...ugh!!!
I agree it really is sad, but if it wasn't Brandy and just like Susie off the street they wouldn't be saying all of this crap...
Brandy is my gurl..... I do not want her to get charged b/c it was an accident.

Posted at 3:40PM on Nov 30th 2007 by LaCreshia

221. Your end is near Brandy, I feel bad for you, all of this is because of your arrogance and the stupid people around you who made you think that you can get of without paying you debt to the people of CA. Karma will be kicking soon, soon than you think.

Posted at 4:37PM on Nov 30th 2007 by victims against reckless drivers

222. Brandy, should be treated just like everyone else. If they only stop trying to text whie they are driving. I am so tried of celebrities getting away with murder. She took away a mother, sister, aunt granddaughter, and wife from these families. If the shoe was on the other foot, then what will they have to say? Get real she cause an accident that took another life. Whether it was a tap(was you there to see it, since you quoted it was a tap). or not she is dead.

Posted at 2:30PM on Dec 3rd 2007 by kOLA

223. Why should it take a year for the city attorney to resolve this and take action? Perhaps he's hoping the victim's family won't notice the absence of their loved one at Christmas time. What could Brandy have been doing that she didn't notice while she was driving at 65mph that traffic had slowed down? She can't say she was drinking, doing drugs or on the phone. She admitted it was her fault. She didn't do it on purpose but she still caused it. Think about it. They may not have the same income because of her negligence for many years to come. She should at least get involuntary manslaughter and a year in jail. She is not anymore special than regular people who work hard for their money. The city attorney should rest his head easy on his pillow at night knowing he took a year to make a decision...probably hoping no one will notice especially during the holidays. The victim's family won't be able to forget. Hey...city attorney...are you waiting till the last minute so nothing can be done? Oh...city attorney make sure you and your family are not driving in front of Brandy since you seem to be dragging this out so she'll be out and about driving the same roads you'll be driving.Think about it!

Posted at 3:02AM on Dec 4th 2007 by My Opinion

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