1.) If you hit a vehicle in front of you with your vehicle, you're at fault. At least here in California.
2.) The police decided to charge her with a misdemeanor and not a felony. The most she faces is $1,000 fine and 1 year. She'll most likely get a suspended sentence and a fine.
3.) There was no negligence or intent here, but clearly she was traveling too quickly for the situation and is at fault. Otherwise she wouldn't have it a car in front of her.
4.) The relatives are within their rights to sue. This woman, had she lived would have earned $, given the grandchildren, etc. and that's now all gone. That is Brandy's fault according to the police investigators.
5.) A middle class person would have been sued for the same amount, remember, this is why you have insurance premiums, to protect yourself against mistakes (aka accidents) you make on the road. The insurance company will pay if they lose the lawsuit (up to the limits of her coverage). Not Brandy.