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Firefighters at the crash site (on January 26, 2020)
Photo:
MARK RALSTON / AFP
The Kobe Bryant case continues to preoccupy the courts nearly two years after the fatal helicopter crash.
Because of unauthorized photos taken from the crash site, the relatives of the victims of the accident in which US basketball star Bryant and eight other people were killed last year will receive a total of 2.5 million dollars (2.16 million euros) in compensation for pain and suffering.
The agreement reached on Tuesday (local time) in a court in Los Angeles county does not affect Bryant's widow Vanessa, who also sued for the unauthorized photos.
Former NBA pro Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other inmates were killed in January 2020 when their helicopter crashed near Los Angeles.
According to the investigation, the pilot of the helicopter had apparently lost orientation after getting into thick clouds.
Only the investigators from the traffic safety authority and the forensic medicine department had permission to take photos at the crash site.
As it later turned out, however, police officers and firefighters also took photos with their cell phones at the scene of the accident and forwarded the recordings.
The victims' relatives then sued Los Angeles County for the emotional trauma they suffered.
According to the agreement that has now been reached, two families will each receive $ 1.25 million in compensation for pain and suffering.
Five titles with the Lakers - Gold with the USA
Bryant is considered one of the best players in the history of the North American professional league NBA.
He won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in his 20-year career and won gold with the US team at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.
In 2016 he ended his career - befittingly with a 60-point performance against Utah Jazz.
After his active career, Bryant devoted himself to film projects as well as youth basketball.
The fatal accident happened on the way to a basketball game, in which daughter Gianna was supposed to participate.
jok / AFP
