Police Report Berry Drove Car Involved In Accident And Fled

Jet, March 20, 2000

Halle Berry was the driver of a vehicle that allegedly struck another one, injuring a woman on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood (JET, March 13). She allegedly committed a felony by leaving the scene of an injury accident, according to law enforcement officials.

Officials with the Sheriffs Department in West Hollywood, CA, have submitted their investigation to the District Attorney's office "for consideration of filing the appropriate charges."

On Feb. 23 at 2:00 a.m., according to a report by the Sheriffs Department, "investigators have determined that actress Halle Berry was driving a rented vehicle northbound on Doheny Drive approaching the intersection of Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood when she allegedly ran a red stop light and struck a 1996 Pontiac Sunbird which was headed westbound on Sunset. Ms. Berry allegedly then fled the scene of the accident. The driver of the other vehicle suffered a broken right wrist and was taken to a local hospital where she was treated for her injuries. Ms. Berry suffered a laceration to her forehead and received about 20 stitches. She sought her own medical treatment. Investigators found a turn signal casing as well as a piece of front bumper molding belonging to the rental car that Ms. Berry rented."

Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in California. Because of budget cutbacks in the late 1970s, law enforcement ordinarily do not go to accident scenes unless there is serious injury. Those involved are instructed to exchange drivers' license and insurance information and contact their carriers.

The accident has been the lead stow on Los Angeles-area television and radio stations. The 911 phone call made by witnesses was played repeatedly on the airwaves. Reporters were even staking out her home in the Hollywood Hills.

Ms. Berry released a statement through a spokesman pointing out that the actress, who recently won a Golden Globe Award for her HBO movie about the life of Dorothy Dandridge, hasn't seen any of the investigative reports. The statement said: "Halle is taking this situation very seriously. One is particularly concerned by reports that she might not have been the only person injured in the accident. As has been reported, Halle suffered a severe blow to the forehead, which left a gash that required 15 to 20 stitches to close. If anyone else was hurt in the accident, she is deeply sorry and hopes they make a speedy and full recovery."