Bruce Jenner Responds to Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Bruce Jenner (Splash News)
Bruce Jenner (Splash News)

Bruce Jenner has responded to the wrongful death lawsuit stemming the fatal crash he was in earlier this year.

In February, the Olympic champion was involved in a four-car pileup in Malibu that left one driver, 69-year-old Kimberly Howe, dead. Howe's two adult stepchildren, 57-year-old William Howe and 60-year-old Dana Redmond, sued Jenner, alleging the impact of Bruce's SUV "propelled" Kimberly into another lane, where her car was struck by oncoming traffic and she was killed.

According to papers obtained by E! News, Jenner calls the accident a "terrible tragedy," but believes the plaintiffs are "financially independent and successful… living and working and residing out-of-state for decades, who do not and cannot allege that they are financially dependent upon their stepmother for the necessities of life."

Translation: Jenner does not believe Howe and Redmond are entitled to his money as they are grown adults who were not dependent on their stepmother. According to reports, Kimberly Howe did not have a relationship with her stepchildren.

In their lawsuit, Howe and Redmond named Jenner as a defendant, contending that he was "otherwise careless, negligent and/or otherwise responsible in causing the death of decedent and damage to her effects… The death of Kimberly Howe caused plaintiffs to suffer enormous damages."

When Jenner sat down for his revealing Diane Sawyer interview, this was one topic he could not discuss, citing the ongoing criminal investigation and civil litigation. However, after the accident, he released a brief statement: "My heartfelt and deepest sympathies go out to the family and loved ones, and to all of those who were involved or injured in this terrible accident."

Jenner, who is unlikely to be facing criminal charges for the accident, is asking for the lawsuit to be thrown out.

[Editor's note: Yahoo will continue to use male pronouns per Bruce Jenner's request until he says otherwise.]