The tragic deaths of NBA legend Kobe Byrant, daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash in January 2020 caught the attention of millions of people worldwide.
In February, Bryant’s widow Vanessa filed a wrongful death lawsuit, months later, a relative of pilot Ara Zobayan responded to the suit saying that the passengers were also at fault.
In a May 8th 2020 filing, a relative of late pilot Zobayan, Berge Zobayan argued that the passengers are to blame for the fatal incident.
“Any injuries or damages to plaintiffs and/or their decedent were directly caused in full or in part by the negligence or fault of plaintiffs and/or their decedent, including their knowing and voluntary encounter with the risks involved, and that this negligence was a substantial factor in causing their purported damages, for which this answering defendant bears no responsibility,” the response states.
Now, the company that owned the crashed aircraft, Island Express Helicopters has issued a response.
According to reports, in their response filed in Los Angeles, Island Express Helicopters argues that Kobe and Gianna, “had actual knowledge of all of the circumstances, particular dangers, and an appreciation of the risks involved and the magnitude thereof” of flying in the helicopter on January 26.
Attorneys for the company claim that the late father and daughter thus “voluntarily assume the risk of the accident, injury, and damages.”
Island Express Helicopters’ response also argues that the crash was caused by events “beyond the control of and unrelated to any actions or conduct.”
According to reports, Bryant, 38, filed her wrongful death lawsuit against Island Express Helicopters and claimed that pilot Ara Zobayan, who was piloting the flight at the time of the Calabasas, California, crash and died, “failed to properly monitor and assess the weather prior to takeoff,” “failed to abort the flight when he knew of the cloudy conditions” and “failed to properly and safely operate the helicopter resulting in a crash.”
The mother of four’s complaint also argued that Island Express Helicopters “knew or should have known” that Zoboyan had been previously cited by the FAA for violating “the visual flight rules minimums by flying into an area of reduced visibility from weather conditions.”
Bryant and her daughters are seeking general, economic, and punitive damages.
Passengers on the flight included Kobe, 41, and Gianna, 13, as well as John Altobelli, 56, Keri Altobelli, 46, Alyssa Altobelli, 14, Sarah Chester, 45, Payton Chester, 13, and Christina Mauser, 38. Bryant and the group were on their way to a youth basketball game.