Island Express, the helicopter company sued for negligence multiple times by victims of the helicopter crash that killed nine people in late January, including Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, argued Bryant and his daughter Gianna knew the risk of flying before the crash.
According to documents acquired by TMZ Sports, the company hopes to invalidate claims from Bryant's widow, Vanessa, after she filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
“Kobe Bryant and GB [Gigi] had actual knowledge of all of the circumstances, particular dangers, and an appreciation of the risks involved and the magnitude thereof, and proceeded to encounter a known risk, and voluntarily assumed the risk of the accident, injury … thereby barring or reducing [Vanessa's] claim for damages,” the legal statement read.
Island Express claims no responsibility for the crash, citing an Act of God.
Pilot Ara Zobayan was known to be flying at blinding fog at 180 mph. — even after being given directions to stand by until the fog cleared.
Island Express claimed flying is “inherently dangerous” and that the death of Kobe Bryant, Gianna, and the seven other passengers was the result of “an unavoidable accident.”
Vanessa Bryant sued the company for millions of dollars, including emotional and consular damages that her late husband would have eased over the years.
Zobayan, the pilot, has also been sued for negligence as the operator of the aircraft. He also provided services for others athletes in the Los Angeles area, including Finals MVP and two-time champion Kawhi Leonard.
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