A woman has filed a lawsuit accusing former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres of failing to stop at a four‑way stop in Santa Barbara County and "t‑boning" her vehicle in October 2023, causing what the complaint describes as "serious personal injuries." The complaint was filed in Los Angeles County court and was obtained by news outlets this week.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was the restrained driver of a Tesla traveling northbound on Evans Avenue near the intersection with Ortega Hill Road on Oct. 16, 2023. The filing says the intersection is controlled by stop signs in all directions and that the plaintiff stopped for her sign, checked that it was clear and proceeded. As she went through the intersection, the complaint alleges, a vehicle driven by DeGeneres struck the plaintiff's car on the right side.
The complaint alleges DeGeneres "entered the intersection without stopping at the stop sign" and that her "negligent conduct fell below the standard of care of a reasonable person," causing or contributing to the collision and the plaintiff's injuries. It seeks compensation for medical and hospital expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, general damages, and damages for loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress and anxiety.
Representatives for DeGeneres did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to the news reports that first detailed the suit.
A photograph of the roadway included with public reporting shows the stretch of Evans Avenue and the nearby intersection the complaint references.
The filing frames the collision as a straightforward negligence claim: it asserts that the defendants' conduct was a substantial factor in producing the plaintiff's multiple injuries and resulting damages. The suit does not allege criminal conduct; it seeks civil relief through the Los Angeles court.
The lawsuit arrives amid renewed public scrutiny of DeGeneres, who faced accusations of fostering a hostile workplace on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in 2020. Recent reports from former crew members and a former cameraman reiterated complaints about an alleged intimidating atmosphere, including accounts of staffers describing an uncomfortable dynamic around interactions with DeGeneres and her wife, actress Portia de Rossi. DeGeneres publicly apologized in 2020 after those earlier allegations were made.
DeGeneres and de Rossi have since relocated to the United Kingdom, a move DeGeneres has previously attributed in media remarks to political developments in the United States. The current complaint pertains specifically to the October 2023 traffic incident and the civil damages sought by the plaintiff.
The case will proceed through the civil court process in Los Angeles County. Further developments, including any response from DeGeneres or her legal representatives and any scheduled hearings, will be made public through court filings and media reports.