The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported a helicopter crash at approximately 10 AM on Las Virgenes Road just south of the 101 Freeway in Calabasas with nine fatalities, including legendary L.A. Laker Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.
The crash ignited a small brush fire that was quickly extinguished. Las Virgenes was closed for several hours following the accident.
Calabasas city officials announced that grieving fans could gather at Juan Bautista de Anza Park at 3701 Lost Hills Rd. near the crash scene. Conditions were foggy with limited visibility in the Santa Monica Mountains at the time of the crash, but the cause of the accident is unknown and the incident remains under under investigation.