Vanessa Bryant Files Lawsuit Against Helicopter Company

According to Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times, Vanessa Bryant has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Island Express Helicopters & Island Express Holding Corporation following the deaths of her husband Kobe Bryant, their 13 year old daughter Gianna and 7 other passengers which included the pilot Ara Zobayan last month in Calabasas, California. Bryant is seeking general, economic & punitive damages stating the the company's breach of its duty and negligence caused the trajedy. The lawsuit states that Kobe Bryant, Gianna and the other passengers were killed as a direct result of the negligent conduct of Zobayan for which Island Express Helicopters is liable in all respects. According to Hannah Fry of the Los Angeles Times Zobayan had previously been disciplined back in 2015 for violating federal flight rules and he was employed by Island Express Helicopters during that time as well. During the fatal crash in January, there was thick fog that had caused the Los Angeles Police Department to ground its fleet of helicopters. According to Chris Woodyard of USA Today a preliminary investigation showed there was no engine failure on the helicopter, however, the helicopter didn't have a terrain awareness and warning system, which is recommended by the National Travel Safety Board. This story is still developing.