Rebecca Gayheart’s Career Impacted by Tragic Car Accident

In June 2001, Rebecca Gayheart was involved in a tragic car accident that resulted in the death of 9-year-old Jorge Cruz Jr. Despite the fact that no drugs or alcohol were involved, Gayheart was charged with misdemeanor manslaughter and was sued by Cruz Jr.’s parents for negligence and wrongful death. She pleaded no contest to the charge and was given three years of probation, a $2,800 fine, and had her license suspended for one year. Additionally, she was ordered to complete 750 hours of community service. In an effort to make amends, Gayheart paid for Cruz Jr.’s funeral service and hospital expenses, as well as offering to pay for his parents’ grief counseling. It took Gayheart almost 20 years to finally open up about the tragedy and the impact it had on her life.