Las Vegas, NV (August 6th, 2025) – A Las Vegas family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Hyundai after a tragic bicycle crash involving a stolen vehicle left a retired police chief dead. The civil case alleges that the automaker’s failure to address a known design flaw allowed the vehicle to be stolen and used in a deadly crime.
When a preventable death occurs, whether from negligence, product failure, or criminal action, families often don’t realize they may have legal options beyond the criminal courts. In some cases, holding companies accountable through a wrongful death claim may be the only way to seek real answers and lasting change.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to the criminal or negligent actions of another, contact our wrongful death lawyers at George Bochanis Injury Law Offices. Call 702-388-2005 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
Shocking Las Vegas Collision Sparks Public Outrage and Legal Action
In August 2023, a Hyundai Elantra was stolen in Las Vegas by two teens using a widely publicized method seen in TikTok videos. While driving through a neighborhood in the northwest valley, the teens behind the wheel allegedly struck a bicyclist in a deliberate act.
The collision was recorded by the teens themselves, with audio capturing them discussing the crash just seconds before impact, and sparked nationwide attention. The bicyclist died from the injuries. The suspects fled the scene, but were arrested soon after.
Criminal Trials Are Underway
The two teens have been charged with murder and several other felony counts. Their trials are scheduled for 2026, and both have been ordered to stand trial as adults. Prosecutors say the stolen car was used as a weapon in an intentional killing.
Despite the criminal charges, the family has chosen to pursue civil accountability through the wrongful death lawsuit.
Why Hyundai Is Named in the Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Although the teens face criminal prosecution, the civil suit targets a different angle—corporate liability. The family alleges that Hyundai’s failure to include a basic anti-theft device in its vehicles contributed directly to the death.
Lawsuit Claims Design Flaws Made Theft Too Easy
The lawsuit claims the Hyundai Elantra involved in the crash was part of a group of vehicles made without engine immobilizers, devices that prevent a car from being hot-wired. The absence of this feature, the family argues, allowed the vehicle to be stolen in less than a minute using only a screwdriver or USB cable.
According to the complaint, Hyundai knew about the vulnerability but continued to sell affected vehicles without warning customers or installing preventive technology.
Social Media Trend Amplified the Risk
The method used to steal the car went viral on TikTok and other platforms in 2022 and 2023. Videos showed teens using the technique to take control of Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022.
The lawsuit argues that Hyundai failed to take timely and effective steps to prevent thefts, even after thousands of incidents were reported across the country. In this case, the ease of theft allegedly created a chain of events that ended in a fatal bicycle crash.
Legal Arguments Supporting the Family’s Wrongful Death Claim
Nevada wrongful death laws allow families to pursue damages when a death is caused by another party’s negligence or misconduct.
Manufacturer Negligence and Product Liability
The complaint centers on the idea that Hyundai’s design decisions made their vehicles unreasonably dangerous when misused. Under Nevada’s product liability rules, a company can be held liable if a product defect is directly linked to a death or injury, even when a third party is also at fault.
In this case, the claim is that Hyundai’s omission of basic anti-theft features constituted a defect that contributed to the fatal collision.
Foreseeability and Corporate Duty of Care
The lawsuit also relies on the concept of foreseeability. Plaintiffs argue that Hyundai should have foreseen the risk that its easily-stolen vehicles would be used in criminal acts. Because the theft method was widely known and theft rates had surged nationwide, the lawsuit contends Hyundai had a duty to act.
Nevada law allows a company to be held accountable if it fails to act on known risks, particularly when harm to others is a likely consequence.
Parallel Liability with Criminal Defendants
Although the individuals who stole and drove the vehicle face criminal charges, the wrongful death claim maintains that Hyundai shares responsibility for enabling the theft. In Nevada, civil liability can be shared among multiple defendants, even when some acted with criminal intent and others acted negligently.
The family’s position is that Hyundai’s negligence created the conditions for a foreseeable tragedy, and that the company should be held financially and legally accountable for its role.
What This Case Means for Las Vegas Wrongful Death Law
Wrongful death claims typically involve accidents caused by negligent drivers, defective roadways, or unsafe property conditions. But this case adds a layer of complexity by linking a corporate defendant to a criminal act carried out by a third party.
Civil Claims Can Coexist with Criminal Charges
Even though the suspects in this case are facing trial, the family does not have to wait for a conviction to move forward with civil claims. Nevada allows civil litigation to proceed independently of criminal trials, and the burden of proof is lower in civil court.
As such, a family can prevail in a wrongful death claim even if the criminal case is still pending or ends in a plea deal.
Corporate Accountability in the Age of Viral Crime
The lawsuit also reflects a growing legal trend: holding companies accountable for how their products are used in a world where information spreads quickly and misuses are well-documented online. In this case, the widespread knowledge of the theft tactic, combined with Hyundai’s delay in responding, forms the core of the civil argument.
Holding All Responsible Parties Accountable
The wrongful death lawsuit filed after the Las Vegas bicycle tragedy highlights how corporate negligence and criminal acts can converge with tragic results. While the criminal trials will focus on intent and individual responsibility, the civil case aims to address a broader question—how preventable design flaws and foreseeable misuse can lead to deadly outcomes.
For families dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one, pursuing a wrongful death claim may offer more than financial relief. It can bring answers, accountability, and long-term safety improvements.
At George Bochanis Injury Law Offices, we understand the complexities involved when a preventable death intersects with product defects and third-party wrongdoing. For more than 30 years, our firm has represented families across Las Vegas in difficult wrongful death and product liability cases.
If you have questions about whether a company or third party may be legally responsible for your family member’s death, we’re here to help you evaluate your options with clarity and care. Contact our law offices at 702-388-2005.
