Everything
Across Los Angeles, there is a distinctive sombre mood following the memorial of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna. Overnight, Vanessa Bryant gave an emotional speech paying homage to the life of her late husband and daughter. Looking back on their full and accomplished lives, whether you’re a fan or simply an onlooker, it was enough to tear up.” God knew they couldn’t be on this Earth without each other,” Vanessa Bryant said. “He had to bring them home to have them together. Babe, you take care of our Gigi.”
On the same day of the ceremony, called ‘A Celebration of Life’, Vanessa Bryant also filed a lawsuit against the company that was the subject of the horror helicopter crash that killed nine people over Calabasas in late-January.
On Monday, Bryant filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Island Express Helicopters. “This was a tragic accident. We will have no comment on the pending litigation,” the company responded to the suit in a statement on Monday.
Controversy surrounds the crash as it was believed the weather was not suitable for flying on January 26 as it transported its passengers to the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks for a youth basketball game. According to CNN, the complain includes, “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.”
“Defendant Island Express Helicopters is vicariously liable for any and all actions of Ara George Zobayan, including his negligent and careless piloting and operation of the subject helicopter, by reason of its principal and agent relationship with Ara George Zobayan,” the lawsuit says.
It is also believed that Vanessa Bryant is only seeking general, economic and punitive damages. No financial figures were expressed in the suit.
Island Express has suspended its services.
