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The family of a college student tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident has initiated legal proceedings against the delivery service DoorDash. They are holding both the company and the driver accountable for the fatal accident.
Parents Jordan and Anna McGrain filed a lawsuit on February 4 in Douglas County, Kansas, targeting DoorDash and driver William Klingler, aged 37. The lawsuit stems from the accident on November 6, 2025, that claimed the life of their daughter, Elsa McGrain.
Elsa, a 20-year-old pre-med student at the University of Kansas, was jogging in Lawrence when she was struck by Klingler, who prosecutors claim was driving with a suspended license. After hitting Elsa, Klingler allegedly fled the scene.
The legal petition contends that Klingler was “an unvetted, unauthorized DoorDash driver who was unfit to operate a commercial delivery vehicle.” It accuses DoorDash of neglecting to employ “fit and competent” drivers and accuses the company of maintaining a system that allowed hiring and retaining drivers who were either inadequately verified or known to be unfit for the role.
Court documents examined by Oxygen reveal that Klingler has a history of offenses, including driving under the influence and drug possession. These past infractions contribute to the family’s case against both the driver and the company.
DoorDash, however, denies that William was authorized to work for the company.
“This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with those impacted,” a DoorDash spokesperson tells Oxygen in a statement. “We strongly deny any claim that DoorDash failed to properly vet the individual involved as he was never granted access to the DoorDash platform. We intend to address these claims through the legal process.”
Elsa’s body was discovered by police in the early morning hours of Nov. 7, on the side of the road. She died from multiple blunt force trauma, according to a Douglas County affidavit reviewed by Oxygen that cites a preliminary autopsy report.
On Nov. 9, William was taken into custody with an outstanding warrant. Police later found fibers that were “consistent with the color of the green shirt” that Elsa wore, around the passenger side headlight of his car.
He is charged as follows, according to documents sent to Oxygen by the Douglas County Court Clerk: Leaving the scene of a fatality accident, Circumvention of ignition interlock device, Driving while suspended; second or subsequent offense, No proof of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage.
It is unclear William has entered a plea to the four charges. He will next appear in court on Feb. 17 for a status conference.
Attorneys for the McGrain family and William did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Oxygen.