Glamorous socialite sued over Porsche crash that left elderly woman with a 'traumatic brain injury'

Daily Mail​

25-06-2025

A glamorous socialite rammed into a senior citizen with her Porsche, leaving the woman with a traumatic brain injury, according to the alleged victim's lawsuit.
Vanessa Getty, who married into the oil-rich Getty family, struck 66-year-old Mary Riley's parked vehicle on March 28, 2024, according to Riley's lawsuit.
The socialite, 53, allegedly lost control of her $100,000 Porsche Taycan while looking for her glasses.
Riley had just got back into her 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK 550 and had not even had time to shut the car door before Getty smashed into her, the suit claimed.
'Suddenly and without warning a vehicle driven by Defendant Vanessa Louise Getty violently crashed into Plaintiff's parked vehicle,' the complaint filed on June 18 states.
As a result of the incident Riley suffered, 'orthopedic injuries and a traumatic brain injury,' the suit said.
Riley's lawyer, Quinton Cutlip, told Daily Mail that Getty told responding officers that, 'she had been distracted because she was looking for her glasses' when the crash happened.
'Ms. Getty was negligent and was apologetic at the scene. Ms. Riley was taken to the hospital by ambulance. She continues to receive treatment and care for injuries she suffered in the collision,' Cutlip said.
The San Francisco Fire Department confirmed that one person was taken to the hospital after the 4:42pm crash at the intersection of Divisadero and Lombard Streets. Both vehicles were towed from the area of the collision.
Riley's lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for her injuries, according documents filed with the court.
'This will all work itself out through the civil litigation process and trial, if necessary,' Cutlip said.
Getty is married to Billy Getty, who is the son of composer and oil heir Gordon Getty.
The Getty family was once the richest in the world and draws its wealth from the eponymous oil marketing company founded by Jean Paul Getty.
The company went bankrupt in 2012, but Forbes estimated that the family was still worth $5.4 billion back in 2015.
Getty, born Vanessa Jarman, is the daughter of actor Claude Jarman Jr. and ballerina Maryann Opperman.
She graduated from UCLA and married into the Getty family in 1999. She and her husband have three children.
For decades, Getty has been a fixture at exclusive events such as Vanity Fair's Oscar Party and various charity events.
She's also known for her philanthropic work, as she helped develop the Peninsula Humane Society and founded San Francisco Bay Humane Friends, both nonprofits that seek to help displaced animals.
She has supported Democratic candidates, most recently Vice President Kamala Harris, who happens to be the godmother to one of Getty's children.
Getty appeared alongside other members of the esteemed family at the nuptials of Getty heir Ivy Love Getty to her now-ex-husband Tobias Engel.
The November 2021 wedding was a lavish affair that began at San Francisco City Hall, where then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was invited to officiate the ceremony for the young couple.
Royals rubbed shoulders with celebrities with Princess Maria-Olympia of Greece and Denmark, transgender model and activist Nats Getty, actress Anya Taylor-Joy, designer Wes Gordon, fashion editor Hamish Bowles among the esteemed guests.
The ceremony was followed by a wild reception at the gorgeous family home in Pacific Heights, where guests partied until 1am.