Brandy

Brandy and a man with whom she was involved in a deadly Los Angeles freeway crash are exchanging lawsuits.

The 28-year-old singer/actress - real name Brandy Norwood - filed a May 23 suit contending that Mallory Ham of Simi Valley, California, caused the December 30 crash. She also denies allegations against her in a previous lawsuit, asserts her Fifth Amendment privileges against self-incrimination, and requests a jury trial.

In court papers filed May 25, Ham contends Brandy drove recklessly and seeks unspecified damages.

Brandy had no immediate comment on the lawsuit.

A California Highway Patrol report said Brandy's Range Rover failed to slow in traffic and was doing more than 100 kilometers per hour when it struck another car that was in turn hit by Ham's vehicle.

The crash killed Awatef Aboudihaj, 38, of Los Angeles. Her husband has sued both Brandy and Ham for reckless driving. Aboudihaj's parents and her two children also have separate lawsuits pending against Brandy.

The city attorney's office is still deciding whether to charge Brandy with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. If charged and convicted, she could face up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.