Family of ex-California police chief sues Hyundai, teens over cyclist’s death
Nearly two years after former California police chief Andreas Probst was killed while cycling in Las Vegas, his relatives have filed a lawsuit against Hyundai and the teenagers accused of causing his death.
In a complaint filed Thursday, Probst’s wife, Crystal Probst, and children, Michael and Taylor Probst, alleged that a defect in the 2016 Hyundai Elantra’s anti-theft system allowed Jesus Ayala and Jzamir Keys to steal the vehicle used to fatally hit Andreas Probst.
Prosecutors have accused Ayala, 19, of striking Andreas Probst, 66, with a stolen car near Centennial Parkway on August 14, 2023. Authorities say Keys, 17, recorded a video of the teens laughing and plotting to hit Probst, who was a retired police chief from Bell, California.
Authorities have said that the teenagers went on a crime spree, stealing multiple vehicles, including the Elantra used to hit Probst.
Ayala and Keys have since been indicted on murder, grand larceny, and other felony charges. Their trial is set to begin on Nov. 3.
The Probst family’s lawyers, Michael Mushkin and Joe Coppedge, have also requested a jury trial in the civil matter.
“Automakers, government regulators, safety advocates, and other interested groups have long acknowledged that vehicles that can be easily stolen will become targets of thieves,” the lawsuit said, referencing a 2023 social media trend that showed how to start certain Hyundai and Kia models without a key. It alleged that “Defendants Ayala and Keys were able to steal the Hyundai Elantra due to a defect or defects in the vehicle.”
The suit further claims that Hyundai made a “design decision” to sell certain Hyundai models, including the Elantra that struck Andreas Probst, without engine immobilizers or similar anti-theft systems, making these vehicles prone to theft.
Responding to the allegations outlined in the suit, Hyundai provided the Las Vegas Review-Journal with a lengthy statement.
“A subset of Hyundai vehicles on the road in the U.S. today, primarily ‘base trim’ or entry-level models, are not equipped with push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices,” the statement said in part. “It is important to clarify that many of these vehicles are now eligible for free software upgrades or ignition cylinder protectors designed to prevent the popularized method of theft.”
Ira Gabriel, a spokesperson for the automobile manufacturer, said that the company had taken “comprehensive action” to help customers impacted by the rise of TikTok-inspired car thefts, one of which is an “ignition kill” feature.
The Probst family is also suing Ayala and Keys for wrongful death. The suit argues that Ayala intentionally struck Andreas Probst while Keys encouraged him to do so.
Crystal Probst declined the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s interview request, and Mushkin could not be immediately reached.
Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com.
