According to a coroner report, the Los Angeles Lakers star, his daughter, and the other seven victims in the deadly helicopter crash all died of 'blunt trauma.'
- May 17, 2020
AceShowbiz - Basketball star Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the seven other victims of a fatal helicopter crash in January 2920 died of, "blunt trauma," a coroner has ruled.
Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner's officials have released the report for all of the victims who passed away in the incident, with all of the fatalities considered to be accidental, according to E! News.
It was also determined that the pilot, Ara Zobayan, was not under the influence of any drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.
According to TMZ.com, the report said, "Toxicological testing did not detect the presence of alcohol or drugs of abuse. Substances tested for include: benzodiazepines, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, marijuana, opioids, phencyclidine, and amphetamines."
Kobe's widow, Vanessa Bryant, and the family members of other passengers on the helicopter have sued the estate of the pilot and charter company Island Express.
However, a representative for the pilot has insisted plaintiff negligence is to blame for the crash that cost the basketball superstar his life.
"Any injuries or damages to plaintiffs and/or their decedent were directly caused in full or in part by the negligence or fault of plaintiffs and/or their decedent, including their knowing and voluntary encounter with the risks involved, and that this negligence was a substantial factor in causing their purported damages, for which this answering defendant bears no responsibility," they claim.
According to papers filed by Vanessa last week, Island Express' Federal Aviation Administration's operating certificate did not allow pilots to fly during conditions like those present on the day of the crash.
The pilot had already allegedly been cited by the FAA for violating this rule in the past.
