A woman filed a lawsuit against Ellen DeGeneres in California. She claims the 67-year-old comedian caused a serious car accident on October 16, 2023, in Santa Barbara County. The case accuses DeGeneres of negligence, sparking attention amid her recent move to the UK.
The lawsuit, reported by People, states DeGeneres ran a stop sign and hit another car in a “t-bone” collision. The plaintiff says she stopped at the intersection and checked for traffic before moving forward. DeGeneres’s car then struck hers without warning. The filing calls DeGeneres’s actions negligent, falling below the standard of a careful driver. Her attorney has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Ellen DeGeneres Was Hit With A Lawsuit After She Allegedly Ignored A Stop Sign https://t.co/do2IZwAcxn
— BuzzFeed Celeb (@BuzzFeedCeleb) September 13, 2025The woman, whose name is private, reports multiple injuries from the crash. She seeks money for lost wages, medical bills, and emotional distress, including anxiety and loss of life enjoyment. The lawsuit claims DeGeneres caused or contributed to the collision, and the plaintiff is asking for an unspecified amount in damages.
The lawsuit comes after DeGeneres ended her talk show in 2022, following claims of a toxic workplace. She and her wife, Portia de Rossi, moved to England’s Cotswolds region in November 2024, citing Donald Trump’s election as a reason. In a July interview, DeGeneres praised the UK’s beauty, polite people, and simpler lifestyle, saying she loves living there.
This legal battle adds to DeGeneres’s challenges after her TV career. It highlights how public figures face scrutiny in both personal and legal matters. The case could affect her reputation, especially as she starts a new chapter abroad. It also raises questions about accountability and road safety.
