A second lawsuit has been filed in connection with the Phoenix helicopter crash that killed four journalists from ABC15 and 3TV last year.
Eric and Tony Krolak, the sons of Rick Krolak, the ABC15 photographer who was killed in the crash, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit July 25. That’s the same day their 15-year-old half-brother, Colton Krolak, filed his own.
The suit by the older Krolaks blames "one or both" pilots’ negligence for the collision. It targets U.S. Helicopters, the company that employed ABC15's pilot, Craig Smith. It also targets KTVK, Inc., and its parent company, the Belo Corporation, that employed Channel 3’s pilot, Scott Bowerbank. Both pilots were killed in the crash.
The lawsuit states each company is “responsible and liable for the conduct and actions” of their respective pilot.
The younger Krolak's suit blames the actions of his father's pilot, Smith, and U.S. Helicopters for his father's death.
The lawsuit states Smith, "carelessly, recklessly, and negligently failed and neglected to properly control the Channel 15 News helicopter so as to prevent the death of passenger photojournalist Richard Krolak."
The lawsuit also says U.S. Helicopter Incorporated "allowed Smith to operate the aircraft in a grossly negligent manner" and "knew, or should have known, that Smith was a reckless, dangerous pilot."
The suits are believed to be the first filed as a result of the collision, which also killed Channel 3 photographer Jim Cox.
The two news helicopters collided while covering a police chase in Phoenix.
The National Transportation Safety Board has only issued a preliminary report regarding the crash. A final report has not been issued and no responsibility for the crash has been assigned.
Neither lawsuit asks for a specific dollar amount, but aviation attorneys say they expect more lawsuits related to the crash to develop over the next coming months.
A memorial for the fallen men was dedicated on the one-year anniversary of the crash, July 27, at Steele Indian School Park.
