Family Intensifies Legal Battle Against DoorDash After Tragic Pedestrian Death [Los Angeles, CA]

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 7, 2024) — The family of Bing Wang, a 51-year-old pedestrian killed by a DoorDash driver, is pushing to expand their lawsuit against the delivery service, alleging negligent hiring practices. The tragic incident occurred in Los Angeles’ Pico-Robertson district as Wang and his family were walking by a Chase bank at the intersection of Pico and La Cienega Boulevards.

The complaint, initially filed last August in Los Angeles Superior Court, could include additional claims of negligent hiring, retention, and supervision following a recent court filing. The family’s legal team argues that the driver, Vladimir Tishchenko, was inexperienced and improperly vetted, having been a licensed driver for only six weeks prior to his hiring by DoorDash.

On the day of the DoorDash pedestrian accident, Tishchenko was reportedly rushing to pick up an order and distracted by his navigation app, contributing to the crash that also severely injured Wang’s wife, Xiaomei, and moderately injured their son, Wenxuan.

The plaintiffs contend that Tishchenko’s lack of driving experience and questionable moral judgment made him unsuitable for the job, a misstep they attribute to DoorDash’s hiring process. A hearing on this motion is scheduled for May 29, with the family also granted the ability to seek punitive damages.

As the case unfolds, DoorDash defends its position, citing various defenses including good faith actions. Meanwhile, Tishchenko has left for Russia and faces charges of vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving in his absence.