Las Vegas, NV — The family of a retired California police chief killed in a hit-and-run incident in 2023 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the two teenagers accused in the fatal crash — and the manufacturer of the car they allegedly stole.
Murder Case Sparks Civil Lawsuit
Jesus Ayala, now 19, and Jzamir Keys, 18, are charged with the intentional killing of Andreas “Andy” Probst, 64, who was riding his bicycle in a marked bike lane near Tenaya Way and Centennial Parkway in northwest Las Vegas on August 14, 2023.
Authorities allege Ayala was behind the wheel of a stolen Hyundai Elantra, with Keys in the passenger seat, when they rammed into Probst and fled the scene. Prosecutors say the pair did not know Probst was a former police chief at the time.
Vehicle Theft Tied to ‘TikTok Method’
According to police, the Hyundai involved in the crash was stolen earlier that morning from a nearby apartment complex. Investigators later found the vehicle abandoned less than 10 minutes away, with a screwdriver stuck in the steering column — a telltale sign of the so-called “TikTok method” of car theft, also known as the “Kia Boys” trend.
“Defendants Ayala and Keys were able to steal the Hyundai Elantra due to a defect or defects in the vehicle that resulted in certain Hyundai and Kia model vehicles to be prone to theft,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit, filed by the Probst family, accuses Hyundai of manufacturing a vehicle “defective” and lacking proper anti-theft protections, such as steering column safeguards and immobilizer technology for key fobs.
Key Allegations in the Suit
The civil complaint demands:
- A jury trial
- Minimum damages of $15,000, as required by Nevada law
- Accountability for both the alleged assailants and Hyundai Motor Company
“Hyundai failed to incorporate all necessary anti-theft devices to prevent [the vehicle] from being started and driven,” attorneys wrote in the complaint.
The lawsuit further alleges Hyundai knew about the vulnerability and did not act quickly enough. While Hyundai has since released a software patch for affected vehicles, critics say it came too late for victims like Probst.
Teens Held Without Bail as Criminal Trial Looms
Both Ayala and Keys remain in custody without bail at the Clark County Detention Center. A jury trial in the criminal murder case is scheduled for January.
Ayala also faces additional charges in other pending cases, including:
- Robbery with a deadly weapon in a separate 2023 incident
- Involvement in a jailhouse fight this past April
Hyundai Yet to Comment
A spokesperson for Hyundai has not responded to media requests regarding the lawsuit. The company has previously acknowledged the rise in thefts and taken steps to address security flaws in certain Hyundai and Kia models, particularly those lacking immobilizers.
What’s your view on the accountability of automakers in crimes involving stolen vehicles? Tell us in the comments.
