Friday, April 10, 2026
Goodyear faces wrongful death suit over fatal e-bike collision
Plaintiffs claim Goodyear is vicariously and directly liable after a company truck allegedly struck and killed a cyclist riding in a designated bike lane.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. faces a wrongful death lawsuit in San Bernardino County Superior Court after a man died when one of its commercial box trucks struck him as he rode an electric bicycle in a designated bike lane.
The lawsuit claims that on Sept. 22, a Goodyear truck driver blew through a stop sign, failed to yield, cutting into the path of Jesus Rodriguez, who was riding his electric bicycle westbound on Schaefer Avenue in Chino. The truck careened into Rodriguez, dragged him, and crushed him beneath its wheels. According to the complaint, Rodriguez endured excruciating pain before succumbing to his injuries. *Estate of Jesus Rodriguez et al., v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. et al.,* CIVRS2603171, (S.B. Super., Ct., filed April 03, 2026)
Mendez & Sanchez attorneys contend the driver, Joe Anaya Jr., was acting within the scope of his Goodyear employment during the collision, making the company vicariously liable for his negligence. The lawsuit also claims Goodyear was directly negligent in hiring, training, supervising, and retaining Anaya, and in entrusting him with a commercial vehicle despite knowing or having reason to know he was unfit to operate one.
"Mr. Rodriguez was a beloved man who was minding his own business and obeying the law when tragedy struck," Alex Guerrero, a wrongful death attorney at Mendez & Sanchez representing the survivors, said. "Now, his wife, his children and all of his loved ones have to live with this tragedy because of this extreme negligence."
Goodyear has not responded to requests for comment. The plaintiffs are asking for proper damages and costs.
The lawsuit claims that on Sept. 22, a Goodyear truck driver blew through a stop sign, failed to yield, cutting into the path of Jesus Rodriguez, who was riding his electric bicycle westbound on Schaefer Avenue in Chino. The truck careened into Rodriguez, dragged him, and crushed him beneath its wheels. According to the complaint, Rodriguez endured excruciating pain before succumbing to his injuries. *Estate of Jesus Rodriguez et al., v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. et al.,* CIVRS2603171, (S.B. Super., Ct., filed April 03, 2026)
Mendez & Sanchez attorneys contend the driver, Joe Anaya Jr., was acting within the scope of his Goodyear employment during the collision, making the company vicariously liable for his negligence. The lawsuit also claims Goodyear was directly negligent in hiring, training, supervising, and retaining Anaya, and in entrusting him with a commercial vehicle despite knowing or having reason to know he was unfit to operate one.
"Mr. Rodriguez was a beloved man who was minding his own business and obeying the law when tragedy struck," Alex Guerrero, a wrongful death attorney at Mendez & Sanchez representing the survivors, said. "Now, his wife, his children and all of his loved ones have to live with this tragedy because of this extreme negligence."
Goodyear has not responded to requests for comment. The plaintiffs are asking for proper damages and costs.
