All nine people aboard the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna Bryant, had “fault and were negligent” in the crash, according to the pilot’s brother, who filed court papers this week, CNN reported.
Attorneys for Berge Zobayan, who is listed as successor in interest for the helicopter’s pilot, Ara Zobayan, said in court papers that “any injuries or damages to plaintiffs and/or their decedent was directly caused in full or in part by the negligence or fault of plaintiffs and/or their decedent.”
The seven-page court document — which says passengers knew the risk of the flight when they climbed on board — is a response to Vanessa Bryant’s wrongful death lawsuit.
“And that this negligence was a substantial factor in causing their purported damages, for which this answering defendant bears no responsibility,” the response said, according o CNN.
Vanessa Bryant’s attorney filed a complaint about the helicopter crash on Feb. 24, which was the same day that a memorial service was held for Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant, as I wrote about for the Deseret News.
The complaint said Island Express, the helicopter company, was to blame for the crash, pointing to negligence of the helicopter for the crash. It said Kobe Bryant “was killed” because of the pilot’s actions, according to USA Today.
Vanessa Bryant’s lawsuit alleged that pilot Ara Zobayan failed “to use ordinary care in piloting the subject aircraft,” according to USA Today.
According to USA Today, “the 27-page complaint doesn’t specify a dollar amount; it seeks general, economic and punitive damages, which could total into the millions.”