Alec Baldwin Sued Over Alleged Car Accident Months Before 'Rust' Shooting
By Kristin Myers on March 10, 2023 at 4:04 PM EST
Actor Alec Baldwin is facing a lot of lawsuits lately!
On October 21, 2021, a gun that he was holding on the set of the Western film “Rust” went off and struck cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, killing her. Director Joel Souza was also hospitalized in the incident.
In January 2023, Baldwin and “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were officially charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Hutchins’ death.
In addition to the criminal trial and civil lawsuits relating to the “Rust” incident, The Blast obtained court documents that reveal that Alec Baldwin is being sued over an alleged car accident that reportedly caused serious injuries to those involved.
Alec Baldwin Sued Over Alleged Car Accident Months Before ‘Rust’ Shooting
According to court documents obtained by The Blast, a man named Ahmed Mustafa is filing a civil lawsuit against Alec Baldwin alleging property damage and personal injury due to a car accident that allegedly took place in the spring of 2021, months before the fatal "Rust" shooting.
Mustafa claims that the incident happened on the Pacific Coast Highway 1 and Cross Creek Road in the city of Malibu in Los Angeles, California. At approximately 2:43 in the afternoon, Mustafa alleges that he was in a car accident with the “30 Rock” actor due to “the impatience and negligence of Mr. Baldwin who had recently left the Cross Creek Shopping Center.”
The roads around the Cross Creek Shopping Center can be a little tricky to navigate, as there is only one lane of travel going northbound and another traveling southbound. Close to the intersection of Cross Creek Road and Pacific Highway, the southbound lane changes from one lane to two lanes. This is where Mustafa claims the accident occurred.
As the southbound lane of Cross Creek Road changed, Mustafa alleges that Baldwin “impatiently sped up and attempted to get in front of Mr. Mustafa who had the right-of-way as Mr. Mustafa was located in front of Mr. Baldwin before the subject incident.”
Man Claims He Suffered Injuries As A Result Of Baldwin Cutting Him Off In Traffic
Mustafa claims that Baldwin tried to cut in front of him by using the northbound lane. According to the court filing, “In doing so, Mr. Baldwin impermissibly crossed double yellow lines and the rear passenger side of Mr. Baldwin’s vehicle collided into the front driver’s side of Mr. Mustafa’s vehicle.”
Citing California’s Vehicle Code laws against Crossing Double Yellow Lines, Unsafe Lane Changes, and “Wobbling,” Mustafa concluded “Mr. Baldwin to be 100% at fault” for the alleged accident, citing a code that states, “If double parallel solid yellow lines are in place, a person driving a vehicle shall not drive to the left of the lines.”
Mustafa wants to be compensated for his alleged wage loss, the loss of the use of his property, hospital and medical expenses, general damage, property damage, and loss of earning capacity as a result of the car accident. Mustafa also claims that he has “suffered physical injuries in an amount, scope and extent not yet fully known.”
Only one day ago, Alec Baldwin requested and was granted a waiver from appearing in a virtual courtroom that set the schedule for the rest of the "Rust" trial.
Alec Baldwin Did Not Attend May 9 'Rust' Virtual Hearing
In a filing issued on Thursday in Santa Fe County (via Deadline), Baldwin said, “I understand that I am charged with the following offense or offenses under the law of the State of New Mexico: Involuntary Manslaughter (Section 30-2-3(B), NMSA 1978) in two alternatives.”
“I understand that I am entitled to personally appear before the Court at every stage of the criminal proceedings,” he added. “After reading and understanding the above, I request that the Court permit me to waive a personal appearance in court for the following proceedings: All Status Conferences.”
On February 23, Baldwin entered a plea of not guilty. Later this month, Baldwin’s legal team, the Santa Fe District Attorney, and Judge Mary Marlow Sommer will reconvene again for Baldwin’s motion to dismiss special prosecutor Andrea Reed.
On April 17, the Santa Fe D.A. needs to finalize the witness list, which has already been amended five times. In early May, the preliminary examination will begin to determine if there is enough evidence to move forward to trial.
