Utah Teen’s Death Prompts Lawsuit Over Counterfeit Airbag

Salt Lake City, UT – A wrongful death lawsuit filed in Utah alleges a counterfeit airbag deployed with explosive force, turning a routine car crash into a fatal incident for 17-year-classic Alexia De La Rosa. The lawsuit claims the defective airbag sent metal and plastic shrapnel into the vehicle’s cabin, resulting in De La Rosa’s death within minutes.

Details of the Incident

Alexia De La Rosa, a recent graduate of Hunter High School in May 2025, was involved in a crash on July 30, 2025. According to the lawsuit, the driver-side airbag detonated abnormally upon impact, releasing dangerous debris. A large piece of metal struck De La Rosa in the chest, causing fatal injuries.

The Lawsuit and Defendants

The lawsuit, filed in Utah’s Third Judicial District Court by the law firm Morgan & Morgan, is brought on behalf of Tessie De La Rosa, the mother and personal representative of the estate of Alexia De La Rosa. The defendants named in the suit are AutoSavvy Holdings Inc., AutoSavvy Dealerships LLC, and AutoSavvy Management Company LLC.

Allegations Against AutoSavvy

Morgan & Morgan alleges that the 2015 Hyundai Sonata driven by De La Rosa had been previously declared a total loss in 2023 and issued a salvage title. The suit claims AutoSavvy purchased the vehicle, repaired it, and allegedly installed counterfeit, non-compliant, and defective airbag components before reselling it to the De La Rosa family. The complaint asserts that AutoSavvy knew, or should have known, the vehicle contained these dangerous components.

Broader Concerns About Counterfeit Airbags

John Morgan, founder of Morgan & Morgan, stated that this is the third wrongful death lawsuit the firm has filed involving alleged counterfeit airbags. He emphasized that no life should be lost due to a corporation prioritizing profits over safety. Attorney Andrew Parker Felix, leading the case, highlighted that these airbags are not approved for utilize in the United States and lack governmental safety approvals.

Morgan & Morgan is currently investigating at least three additional deaths potentially linked to counterfeit airbags and other defendants.

AutoSavvy’s Response

As of March 3, 2026, KUTV 2News reported that AutoSavvy has not responded to multiple requests for comment via email and phone. The company indicated a member of its legal team would provide a statement, but no response had been received at the time of publication.