Cellphone records may be sought in Jenner crash

Los Angeles County investigators are likely to seek cellphone records and search for possible video surveillance evidence as they try to determine what caused a fatal multi-vehicle crash involving reality TV star and Olympic champion Bruce Jenner, authorities said Sunday.

"The investigator will decide whether cellphone information is needed from the drivers," county sheriff's Sgt. Philip Brooks told USA TODAY. "That is a strong possibility in this case."

Brooks said that even if one of the drivers was texting or phoning around the time the crash occurred, it might be very difficult to determine whether the action was close enough to the accident to be relevant.

"No one is standing by the side of the road with a stopwatch," Brooks said.

Jenner was driving a black Cadillac Escalade and pulling a trailer when he hit a Lexus sedan that had struck a Toyota Prius, Brooks said. The Lexus veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a Hummer, Brooks said.

The driver of the Lexus, a woman in her 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Several other people, including three children, had minor injuries. The crash took place shortly after noon Saturday at an intersection on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

Jenner cooperated with investigators, passed a field sobriety test and voluntarily submitted a blood sample to determine whether he was intoxicated.

Jenner's publicist, Alan Nierob, said Jenner, 65, was unhurt. Nierob otherwise declined to comment.

In a statement released Sunday, Jenner said, "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. It is a devastating tragedy and I cannot pretend to imagine what this family is going through at this time. I am praying for them. I will continue to cooperate in every way possible."

Jenner has been under intense media scrutiny in recent weeks as his appearance has gradually become more feminine.

Moments after the crash, rescuers called for reinforcements to manage the site, which quickly became overwhelmed with onlookers and paparazzi, Brooks said.

Brooks said there was no evidence Jenner was being chased by paparazzi at the time of the crash, contrary to early reports.

Paparazzi pursuits are a fact of life in the Los Angeles area, and in 2010, then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill making it easier to prosecute and punish overzealous media members.

About six hours after the crash, a motorist rammed through the road closure on Pacific Coast Highway, hitting two vehicles involved in the earlier collision. The driver was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.

Jenner became a global celebrity by winning decathlon gold at the 1976 Olympic Games. More recently, he is best known as Kim Kardashian's stepfather. He frequently appeared on the popular reality TV show Keeping up With the Kardashians.

Jenner's marriage to Kris Kardashian, his third marriage, lasted 23 years before their divorce last year.

Contributing: Elizabeth Weise and Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY; The Associated Press