The brother of the pilot in the ill-fated helicopter flight that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and more has said that it the passengers who are at fault.
According to Hollywood Life, Berge Zobayan, who represents pilot Ara George Zobayan, presents the argument against the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Kobe's widow Vanessa Bryant. The suit was filed on February 24 and against not just Ara but Island Express, the helicopter company. Vanessa is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from the Calabasas helicopter crash which claimed nine lives, including John, Keri, and Alyssa Altobelli, Payton and Sarah Chester, and Christina Mauer.
The documents state that “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.”
As of present, the investigation as to what caused the crash is still ongoing. But there is still no evidence showing that the engine failed or other mechanical issues happened during the flight.
Bryant and his companions were en route to a game at the Mamba Academy when it crashed to a mountain and fell, leaving no survivors.
The death of Kobe shocked everyone and basketball fans from all over the world mourned the loss of one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen. Fans came up with their own ways of paying tribute to the Black Mamba, from tattoos to exhibits to murals of Kobe and his daughter Gigi.
But, no one feels that loss more than his family. This Mother's Day marked the first occasion they are celebrating without the two, and though it may have been a hard day for Vanessa, thankfully she is surrounded by many people who love her. Page Six says that Vanessa reposted a photograph of a collage that her eldest daughter Natalia earlier posted. She says that she loves being a mother to her, Gigi and younger daughters Bianka and Capri. She calls her daughters the very best of their mom and dad.
Early this month she also paid tribute to Gigi, who would have turned 14 last May 1. She also shared a letter from Kobe that seemed to have been written for her coming 38th birthday.