Countywide : New Claims Filed in Police Copter Deaths

New wrongful-death claims totaling $18 million have been filed against five Orange County governments by the families of two pilots who died when two police helicopters collided during a chase in March.

Tuesday’s filings, alleging government negligence, bring the total amount of claims resulting from the collision to $28 million. Claims must be filed against governments before they can be sued. Claims usually turn into lawsuits when governments reject them.

The Costa Mesa and Newport Beach police helicopters collided March 10 over Irvine while pursuing a car theft suspect believed fleeing from Santa Ana.

Costa Mesa pilots James David Ketchum and John W. Libolt were killed, along with Jeffrey Pollard, a civilian flight instructor. The Newport Beach pilots survived.

Libolt’s former wife, Rebecca, and two children are seeking $7 million from Newport Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach and Orange County.

Ketchum’s widow, Meg, and two children are seeking $10 million in damages from the governments.

In addition, Libolt’s fiancee, Lani Wilson, is seeking $1 million from Newport Beach.

Becky Pollard, widow of the flight instructor, has already filed claims totaling $10 million against Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.

The pilots’ families did not name Costa Mesa in their claims because the men were covered by workers’ compensation insurance.