Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil narrowly avoided tragedy after his private jet crashed at an Arizona airport, killing the pilot and seriously injuring his girlfriend. The rock star was in Florida celebrating his 64th birthday when the jet, carrying his longtime partner Rain Hannah Andreani, suffered a catastrophic landing gear failure.
A tragic crash in Scottsdale
The Learjet 35A was attempting to land at Scottsdale Airport on Monday when it veered off the runway, slamming into a parked Gulfstream 200. The horrifying crash killed the plane’s pilot, Marine veteran Joie Vitosky, 78, who had been flying since 2019 and was a certified flight engineer for decades.
Andreani, her friend Ashley Rosile, and a co-pilot survived but sustained serious injuries. Andreani was hospitalized with five broken ribs, forcing her to withdraw from the Royal Crown Barrel Race competition, which had initially brought her to Arizona.
Why Neil wasn’t on the plane
Neil, who was supposed to travel later in the week, decided to stay behind in Florida to enjoy some time at the beach before catching a flight on Thursday. His close friend and horse trainer, Lance Graves, confirmed that Neil had opted to delay his travel plans, a decision that may have saved his life.
Graves, who has known Neil for 15 years, said he was in shock when he received the call about the crash. He later took to Instagram to show support for Andreani and honor Vitosky. “As we close in on Valentine’s Day, a holiday reserved for love and human connection, please hold those you love close to you, safe in the arms of love,” he wrote.
The rock star’s unexpected love for horses
Many fans don’t realize that Neil has a deep passion for horses. His connection to the equestrian world began when Andreani expressed interest in buying a horse, leading them to Graves, a renowned Oklahoma-based horse trainer.
Neil even owns a prized racehorse, Rosie Neil, which Graves describes as the best he’s ever ridden. The horse is the reigning barrel racing Triple Crown Senior World Champion, adding yet another unexpected layer to the rock legend’s diverse interests.
What’s next for Andreani?
Andreani and Rosile were released from the hospital on Wednesday, while the injured co-pilot remains under medical care. Though physically recovering, Andreani is also dealing with the emotional toll of the crash, which cut short her plans to compete.
Graves says the original idea for their Arizona trip was to escape the winter cold of their respective homes in Oklahoma and Tennessee. Now, the devastating accident has left their tight-knit circle mourning the loss of Vitosky while counting their blessings that others survived.
Neil has not yet made a public statement about the crash, but those close to him say he is deeply shaken by the incident.
