Discovery Communications has been slapped with a lawsuit over a fatal helicopter crash that occurred during a reality television production last February. The suit, filed by Sonya Joubert, a guardian for Sofia Victoria Donatelli, whose father Michael William Donatelli died as a result of the crash, also lists a host of other defendants, including production company Eyeworks USA, Orbic Air and Crossbow Helicopters. Also read: Confessions of a Reality TV Star The complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, alleges that Orbic, Crossbow, and pilot David Gene Gibbs — whose estate is listed in the suit — acted negligently on.
- 2/26/2014
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Los Angeles -- Three people were killed Sunday in a pre-dawn helicopter crash in a rural area of northern Los Angeles County while filming for a new reality TV show for the Discovery Channel.
The copter crashed at about 3:40 a.m. at the popular filming location of Polsa Rosa Ranch in the city of Acton, Los Angeles County Fire dispatcher Robert Diaz said.
All three people aboard died, Diaz said.
Coroner's spokesman Ed Winter identified the victims Monday as David Gene Gibbs, 59, of Valencia, Calif.; Darren Arthur Rydstrom, 46, of Whittier, Calif., and Michael William Donatelli, 45, of Indiana, Pa.
Autopsies were pending.
The show, listed on a filming permit as an untitled military-theme TV program, had not yet been aired or announced by Discovery, channel spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg said.
"A production company was shooting a show for Discovery Channel when this tragic accident occurred," the station said in a statement.
The copter crashed at about 3:40 a.m. at the popular filming location of Polsa Rosa Ranch in the city of Acton, Los Angeles County Fire dispatcher Robert Diaz said.
All three people aboard died, Diaz said.
Coroner's spokesman Ed Winter identified the victims Monday as David Gene Gibbs, 59, of Valencia, Calif.; Darren Arthur Rydstrom, 46, of Whittier, Calif., and Michael William Donatelli, 45, of Indiana, Pa.
Autopsies were pending.
The show, listed on a filming permit as an untitled military-theme TV program, had not yet been aired or announced by Discovery, channel spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg said.
"A production company was shooting a show for Discovery Channel when this tragic accident occurred," the station said in a statement.
- 2/12/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
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