Who was driving the car that killed Myrtle Wilson?

Daisy Buchanan was driving the car that killed Myrtle Wilson.

After the confrontation at the Plaza Hotel, Daisy drives Gatsby’s car back toward Long Island with Gatsby beside her. Myrtle Wilson runs into the road, apparently believing the approaching vehicle belongs to Tom, her lover. Daisy strikes Myrtle, killing her instantly, and continues driving in shock.

Gatsby later tells Nick that Daisy was behind the wheel, but he intends to claim responsibility to protect her. Tom then tells George Wilson that Gatsby owns the car, encouraging George to believe that Gatsby was both Myrtle’s lover and the person responsible for her death. George ultimately goes to Gatsby’s mansion, shoots him, and then kills himself.

A frequent mistake is to answer Jay Gatsby because the car belongs to him, or Tom Buchanan because Myrtle expects Tom to be driving. The novel separates ownership from responsibility: Gatsby owns the car, Daisy drives it, and Tom’s manipulation helps direct George’s revenge toward Gatsby. The episode exposes the Buchanans’ carelessness and privilege.