On January 1, 1947, while driving the car of director Bruce "Lucky" Humberstone from Palm Springs to Hollywood, she gave a ride to three hitchhikers: a soldier named Robert E. Lee, 18-year-old student Philip Mercado, and Mercado's friend Joseph Montaldo. Near Redlands, California, the car hit a divider and flipped over, killing Lee and causing serious injuries to Walker and the other two passengers. Mercado brought a civil suit for $150,000 against her. Montaldo sued for $100,000.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/49428331/?terms=%22Helen%2Bwalker%22&match=1] Walker was also charged with manslaughter for Lee's death.