Late breaking news: LAPD says Singleton stuck and killed jaywalker, released without charges

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 8/24/07 — Los Angeles police say Oscar-nominated director John Singleton struck and killed a female jaywalker when she stepped in front of his Lexus SUV.

LAPD spokesman Jason Lee told AP it happened Thursday night in the city’s Jefferson Park neighborhood.

Lee says the woman was not in a crosswalk. He says Singleton stopped and identified himself and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Lee says Singleton was questioned and released.

Hollywood Today spoke with the filmmaker by phone Friday morning (see related story). There was no mention of the accident and it was not made public until Friday night.

Lee says the injured woman was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead Friday morning. She’s identified as 57-year-old Constance Russell of Los Angeles.

Singleton’s debut 1991 film “Boyz N The Hood” earned him two Oscar nominations. He was the producer of the new film “Illegal Tender,” which opened nationwide today.