JLR Sued After Land Rover Discovery Rollaway Killed Owner on Her Own Driveway

A Simple Habit That Matters

Slamming your car into Park is second nature for most drivers. It’s almost automatic, but it’s the one thing standing between you and a runaway vehicle. These days, automakers pack in all sorts of tech to keep cars from rolling off on their own, but not every system works the same way.

But for one California family, a simple parking job ended in disaster. Sue Rooney’s family is now locked in a legal fight with JaguarLand Rover (JLR) and the dealership that sold them the SUV. Their claim: the 2020 Land Rover Discovery should have stopped itself from rolling away, but didn’t – even though the tech to do it was supposedly there.

According to the lawsuit, Sue Rooney died on May 15, 2026, after her own SUV ran her over in her driveway. The family says the Discovery didn’t have the software that would kick in Park or set the electronic brake if you step out with the engine running and the shifter not in Park.

Family Says SUV Rolled Back on Flat Driveway

The Rooney family says it all happened in seconds. Sue Rooney stepped out of her Discovery with the engine still running. Her daughter Kathleen told KCRA 3 what went down.

"She got inside her car and started her car and then she exited her car to tell my husband something, and the car started moving in reverse," daughter Kathleen Rooney said. "The car door hit her. She fell on the ground, and then the car rolled over her. On my flat driveway."

The lawsuit says JLR has known about rollaway problems for a while, pointing to other lawsuits with similar stories. The family claims the company could have fixed it with a simple software update, but didn’t. Of course, none of this has been proven in court yet.

Jaguar Land Rover declined to discuss the specifics of the case. In a statement to KCRA 3, JLR said that it "is committed to the safety of our customers and is saddened to hear of this incident. As this matter is now related to pending litigation, we will not comment further."

What Happens Next?

Now that the lawsuit’s on the books in California, it’s headed for the usual legal back-and-forth – unless both sides settle first. Jaguar Land Rover will get its say, and both teams will trade evidence and expert opinions as things heat up.

The family is going after JLR for damages, citing everything from product liability and negligence to wrongful death. They’re also asking for punitive damages, saying the company knew about the safety fix but didn’t bother to use it.

Will this one go to trial or get settled behind closed doors? Too soon to tell. But the lawsuit is already sparking fresh questions about rollaway tech and how carmakers decide which safety features make the cut.

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