Las Vegas man sues Hyundai after wife killed in crash with teen driving stolen car

A man whose wife was killed in a crash with a 14-year-old driver in a stolen Hyundai is suing the automaker, alleging the car’s defective anti-theft technologies made it easy to steal.

Patrick Leonard, represented by Cloward Trial Lawyers, filed the complaint Wednesday. He is also suing the teenager, Tyree Jackson Jr., and unnamed designers and manufacturers, seeking damages from all defendants for the death of his wife, Andrea Leonard.

The lawsuit alleges wrongful death, products liability and negligence in a fatal collision involving a stolen 2018 Hyundai Elantra.

A Hyundai spokesperson said “our thoughts are with the family affected by this tragedy.”

“Hyundai Motor America remains committed to supporting customers and communities affected by vehicle thefts linked to social media trends. Hyundai has introduced a range of security measures, including no-cost anti-theft software upgrades and ignition cylinder protectors for eligible vehicles, and partnerships with law enforcement to help strengthen vehicle security,” Ira Gabriel said. “Our focus remains on continuing these efforts and supporting our customers.”

Gabriel also said that customers can check vehicle eligibility and learn more about available anti-theft solutions online.

According to the website, roughly 4 million Hyundai “base trim” vehicles on U.S. roads are vulnerable to theft, even though they meet federal anti-theft requirements. In 2022, a viral TikTok challenge showed a specific method thieves used to bypass the vehicles’ security systems and steal them.

Leonard’s complaint alleged that Hyundai negligently sold vehicles that lacked effective anti-theft technologies, even though such technologies were widely available and commonly used by other automakers.

“The Subject Elantra was defective and unreasonably dangerous because its ignition and anti-theft system rendered it unusually susceptible to unauthorized starting and operation,” Attorney Benjamin Cloward wrote in the lawsuit.

Cloward added that Hyundai knew or should have known that cars so easily stolen would foreseeably be driven by people who were unlicensed, inexperienced, fleeing police or otherwise inclined to disregard traffic laws and others’ safety.

Andrea Leonard was driving on South Buffalo Drive toward West Desert Inn Road on Nov. 7, 2024, when Jackson, who had stolen an Elantra, ran a read light and crashed into her. Police said Andrea Leonard was taken to the University Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

A GoFundMe fundraiser for the woman described her as a devoted mother and wife.

Court records indicate Jackson, who was 14 at the time of the crash, was not charged as an adult until May 2025. He has since been released from custody on electronic monitoring.

Last month, Jackson pleaded guilty to reckless driving, according to the records. His public defenders could not be reached.

He initially faced multiple charges, including reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm, possession of a stolen vehicle and failure to stop at the scene of a crash.

Jackson’s sentencing is scheduled for January 19.

Contact Akiya Leggio at [email protected].