ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — A heart-wrenching legal battle is unfolding in Orange County, where a mother mourns her son, killed in a tragic road rage incident, while facing a lawsuit from the boy’s father. Joanna Cloonan, whose 6-year-old son Aiden Leos was shot in May 2021, is now dealing with the emotional toll of a civil suit that asserts her driving behavior contributed to the fatal event.
The lawsuit, filed by Joey Leos in Orange County Superior Court, also targets Marcus Anthony Eriz, the man convicted and sentenced to 40 years to life for the shooting that claimed Aiden’s life. Eriz opened fire at Cloonan’s vehicle, striking Aiden while he was secured in a booster seat. Cloonan recounted the harrowing moment of loss, calling it a pain that no mother should endure.
In the 13-page complaint, Leos alleges that Cloonan’s aggressive driving instigated the violence that led to Aiden’s death. Cloonan has vehemently denied the accusations, expressing her outrage over the claims. “I’m disgusted and offended; none of what’s being said is true,” she stated, highlighting the emotional burden of reliving the tragedy.
Both Cloonan’s attorney, Mike Caspino, and the mother herself have characterized the lawsuit as abusive, suggesting it further victimizes an already grieving family. Caspino expressed confidence that the legal action lacks merit, predicting it will be dismissed quickly.
The civil suit also includes Wynne Lee, Eriz’s girlfriend, who was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the shooting, and Cloonan’s mother, who initiated a GoFundMe campaign following Aiden’s death to support the family. These additional parties in the suit illustrate the wide-reaching impacts of the incident on multiple families.
Cloonan described the ongoing struggle to cope with daily life as she grapples with anxiety and grief. “It’s hard to get out of bed, hard to brush my teeth,” she reflected. Despite the overwhelming challenges, she is determined not to let the tragedy define her. “This story doesn’t end here. I’m not going to let evil win,” she declared, emphasizing her resolve to find healing and strength amid adversity.
As this complex case approaches trial at the end of March, Cloonan hopes for a resolution that will allow her to begin to heal without the shadow of this lawsuit looming over her. The emotional fallout from Aiden’s death continues to resonate, underscoring the profound effects of violence on families and communities.