The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

MORE than a year after a fatal helicopter crash in Abaco, a $100 million lawsuit has been filed in a US federal court against the alleged pilot.

According to the New York Post, the wrongful death suit was filed by Daria Valdez, the widow of Lyford Cay resident Lance Valdez, who claims her husband’s best friend, Miami billionaire Jeffrey Soffer, was at the helm at the time of the crash – without proper licensure or experience.

She goes on to accuse Mr Soffer, a Florida real estate developer, of concealing that information and persuading her to accept $2 million in insurance money and sign a release so that he could escape damages.

Mr Valdez, a father of three, was the only person killed when the helicopter crashed near townhouses at the Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club on Guana Cay on November 22 last year.

The grieving mother of Valdez’ three young children, ages two, seven, and nine, Daria, accused Mr Soffer of taking advantage of her fragile emotional state to avoid liability.

According to an eyewitness, the helicopter crashed near the club’s townhouses after it was caught by a violent gust of wind as it attempted to land.

The helicopter’s rotor blade hit the ground – flinging three of the passengers out. Mr Valdez was reportedly killed by the blades.

Mr Soffer is one of four survivors of the crash, and was treated for a number of injuries – among them a fractured vertebrae.

The three other crash victims, and codefendants, include: Dan and Paula Riordan, Mr Soffer’s employees, and Alex Krys, his COO.

Mr Soffer is the head of Turnberry Associates, owner of the famous Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, and is married to supermodel Elle Macpherson.

Mr Soffer has denied all allegations of wrongdoing, according to attorney Bob Martinez.

Attempts to reach Bahamas Civil Aviation for a completed report on the crash were unsuccessful up to press time.