Rebecca Gayheart Charged with Manslaughter

The Los Angeles City Attorney's office confirmed Monday that it is moving forward with a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charge against the one-time Beverly Hills 90210 princess and Noxzema Girl. The decision to charge Gayheart came September 18, after the Los Angeles District Attorney declined to press a more serious felony charge. The D.A.'s office said there was no evidence that Gayheart was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which would have warranted gross negligence and a more serious charge.

On June 13 of this year, Gayheart was driving through Hollywood in her friend's Jeep Cherokee when she struck 9-year-old Jorge Cruz, Jr. as he crossed the street on his way home from school. Although the boy was not using a crosswalk, several cars had stopped on the road to let him cross. Gayheart swerved around the stopped cars and attempted to pass them in a two-way turn lane when she hit the boy. Jorge Cruz, Jr. died the next day at a local hospital. Gayheart claims she never saw the child and denies any wrongdoing in the accident.

Several witnesses have testified that Gayheart was driving in excess of 40 mph at the time of the accident and the boy's parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Gayheart. Gayheart paid for the hospital expenses and the funeral costs for the family and issued a statement expressing her sincere regret and sympathy for the family.