In a significant legal move, Vanessa Smith, widow of the late basketball superstar Kobe Smith, has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit in the aftermath of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of her husband and their 13-year-old daughter, Gianna. While thousands gathered at Staples Center in Los Angeles to pay tribute to the beloved NBA icon and his daughter, Vanessa’s legal team was busy filing the suit against the helicopter company responsible for the ill-fated flight.
According to reports from NBC News, the lawsuit alleges that Skyward Helicopters, the operator of the doomed helicopter, took to the skies despite being aware of unsafe flying conditions. On that fateful day, dense fog enveloped Los Angeles, leading the LAPD to ground its own helicopters until visibility improved later in the day.
The lawsuit claims that the pilot, Chris Thompson, who also died in the crash, was navigating through blinding weather at an alarming speed of 180 mph just moments before the helicopter collided with a hillside in Calabasas, California. It further contends that Thompson and Skyward Helicopters failed to adequately evaluate the weather prior to takeoff and did not cancel the flight when it became clear the conditions were perilous. “Defendant Skyward Helicopters’ negligence and violation of duty led to the injuries and damages suffered, resulting in the tragic loss of Kobe Smith,” the lawsuit states.
The 27-count complaint characterizes the pilot’s actions as “reckless,” and seeks a range of damages including general damages, economic damages, punitive damages, and compensation for the “pre-impact” terror experienced by Kobe and Gianna as the helicopter descended toward the mountains.
Interestingly, the lawsuit also highlights a previous violation against Thompson in 2015 for flying into restricted airspace under poor visibility conditions. At that time, he had requested permission to navigate through LAX airspace but was denied due to inclement weather. The FAA noted that Thompson acknowledged his mistake and accepted responsibility for his actions.
While the lawsuit does not specify an exact amount for damages, estimates suggest it could reach millions. It remains uncertain whether Vanessa plans to allocate a portion of any awarded damages to the Mamba on Three Fund, established to support the families of the other victims involved in the tragic crash. The investigation into the precise cause of the helicopter accident is still ongoing.
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In summary, Vanessa Smith is seeking justice and accountability following the devastating loss of her husband and daughter in a helicopter crash, asserting that negligence played a crucial role in their deaths.
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