The girlfriend of rock icon Vince Neil was one of three people injured Monday when Neil’s Learjet model 35A crashed into a parked plane in Scottsdale, Arizona, killing one, Mötley Crüe’s manager Allen Kovac confirmed to CNN Tuesday.
Neil, who has a home in the Nashville area, was not aboard, according to the vocalist’s legal representative Worrick Robinson IV, who posted a statement about the crash to the band’s Instagram account.
Robinson wrote that the crash happened at 2:59 p.m. local time Monday as the Learjet was trying to land, and “for reasons unknown at this time, the plane veered from the runway … On board Mr. Neil’s plane were two pilots and two passengers…
“More specific details regarding the collision are not available as this is a rapidly evolving situation and there is an ongoing investigation. Mr. Neil’s thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved, and he is grateful to everyone involved, and he is grateful for the critical aid of all the first responders assisting today.”
The National Transportation and Safety Board is investigating the crash.
Property records show Neil has lived in Middle Tennessee since 2017. The records show Neil’s girlfriend, Rain Hannah Andreani, 43, shares the same home address.
A preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration shows the pilot died in the crash while a second flight crew member and the two passengers were seriously injured.
The pilot who died was identified Tuesday by Scottsdale Police as Joie Vitosky, 78.
Neil owns SchoolHouse Club, a luxury rental property on the banks of the Harpeth River in Leiper’s Fork, about 27 miles south of Nashville.
Bret Michaels posted a photo of himself with Neil and Andreani to Instagram Monday, commenting on the crash.
“My deepest sympathy and condolences to the pilot that just passed away in Scottsdale Airpark and the other pilot who was injured, as well as my thoughts and prayers to our family friend Rain (Andreani), her friends and all those that were injured in the tragic landing. I was relieved to hear that my friend Vince Neil was not on board at the time of the incident … I often fly out from this Scottsdale Airpark location and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to all involved.”
Kelli Kuester, a spokesperson for Scottsdale Airport, said at a Monday evening news briefing that the Learjet was arriving in Scottsdale from Austin, Texas when the crash occurred. The arriving plane’s left main gear appeared to have failed upon landing, causing the collision, Kuester said.
One person was aboard the parked plane at the time of the crash, officials noted.
Scottsdale Fire Captain Dave Folio said Monday one person, later identified as Vitosky, was found dead when first responders arrived, two people were taken to a nearby trauma center in critical condition while another was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition. A fifth person refused treatment.
Recent flight records show the Learjet left Dallas on Feb. 4 to land at Smyrna Airport in Tennessee.
The next day, the jet left Smyrna for Fort Lauderdale, Fla. before leaving Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 10 to land in Austin, Texas.
The 1989 Gates fixed wing multi-engine plane seats 10 and was registered to Chromed in Hollywood Inc. in June 2021 and owned by Neil.
Mötley Crüe formed in 1981 in Los Angeles by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee with guitarist Mick Mars and Neil as lead vocalist.
In the past 43 years, the band has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, authored 22 top 40 rock hits, received three Grammy nominations and released five New York Times best-selling books.
The band’s last tour stop through Nashville was in June 2022 during its stadium tour with Def Leppard, Poison, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and Classless Act at Nissan Stadium.
The crash comes before the Middle Tennessee vocalist is set to begin a Las Vegas residency with the band starting March 28 for 11 shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM. Following the residency, the band will play Boardwalk Rock 2025 in Ocean City, MD on May 17.
