Patrick Leonard filed a wrongful death and products liability lawsuit Wednesday against Hyundai Motor America, the teenage driver, and unnamed designers and manufacturers. The complaint alleges that a 2018 Hyundai Elantra stolen by 14-year-old Tyree Jackson Jr. lacked effective anti-theft technology, making it unusually susceptible to theft and foreseeably dangerous when driven by an unlicensed, inexperienced operator.
The crash occurred on Nov. 7, 2024, when Jackson ran a red light at South Buffalo Drive and West Desert Inn Road, striking Andrea Leonard's vehicle. She was taken to University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. A GoFundMe page described her as a devoted mother and wife.
Attorney Benjamin Cloward wrote in the complaint that Hyundai knew or should have known that vehicles so easily stolen would be driven by people inclined to disregard traffic laws. The lawsuit notes that roughly 4 million Hyundai "base trim" vehicles on U.S. roads are vulnerable to theft despite meeting federal requirements, a vulnerability highlighted by a viral TikTok challenge in 2022.
Hyundai spokesperson Ira Gabriel said the company's thoughts are with the affected family and emphasized its commitment to supporting customers affected by thefts linked to social media trends. Gabriel cited no-cost anti-theft software upgrades, ignition cylinder protectors, and law enforcement partnerships as part of the company's ongoing security efforts.
Court records show Jackson was not charged as an adult until May 2025 and has since been released on electronic monitoring. He pleaded guilty to reckless driving last month after initially facing charges including reckless driving resulting in death, possession of a stolen vehicle, and failure to stop at the scene.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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