Know who is the owner and CEO of the Turo car rental app linked to the New Orleans attack and Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas
The San Francisco-based peer-to-peer car-sharing service Turo has gained attention following two fatal accidents involving cars that were rented via its platform.
Authorities verified that the driver of a Tesla cyber truck involved in a fatal explosion in Las Vegas and the suspect driver in the tragic attack in New Orleans, which claimed the lives of at least 15 people, both rented their cars through the Turo app.
What is the Turo car rental app linked to both the New Orleans attack and Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas and who is its owner and CEO Andre Haddad
In a notable update, the Turo app, the same app used to rent the Ford F-150 used in the New Orleans Truck Attack, was used to rent the Tesla truck that was loaded with Fireworks and exploded outside the Lobby of the Trump hotel in Las Vegas. (Associated Press)
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 1, 2025
Through the Turo car rental app which is based in San Francisco, private car owners can rent out their automobiles to other people. It is a car-sharing company. The network, which was first introduced in 2010 under the name “RelayRides” and changed its name to Turo in 2015, links people with “trusted hosts” in their communities. Turo functions only as a marketplace where customers can rent cars from private owners; unlike typical rental car firms, it does not own the automobiles displayed.
Users must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and submit their personal information for approval before they may hire a car on Turo. Renters can use the app to pick up automobiles in a number of ways, including in-person, by delivery, or via keyless access made possible by an app or lockbox.
Haddad, Beirut native, CEO of Turo App, and part-time DJ is at the helm of TURO, his San Francisco-based auto-sharing operation that lets people rent out their cars for cash. TURO plays by the same “share-and-charge” model as Airbnb, which, if you’ve been holidaying on the moon the last three years, allows people to do the same with their apartments.
The full team of the Turo App can be found here.
Age 53 Haddad co-founded his first company, iBazar (France’s first Internet marketplace) in 1999, eventually selling iBazar to eBay for $140 million. A lifelong car enthusiast, he was able to combine two great passions and soon after signing on as CEO, he listed his 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S on the site.
From 2001 until he left to join Turo as CEO in 2011, he helped grow eBay from $750 million in revenue to $11.7 billion.
He took over TURO from its founder, Shelby Clark, in 2011 with the company based out of Baltimore at the time. Alex Benn is the current President.
New Orleans attacker hired Turo
The driver who carried out the fatal assault on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, hired a Ford F-150 Lightning truck through Turo. Early on Wednesday morning, the truck crashed into a gathering, killing 15 people and injuring 30 more. Turo has acknowledged that it is assisting the FBI with their inquiry.
A spokesperson for the company expressed their sadness in a statement, saying, “We are heartbroken to learn that one of our host’s vehicles was involved in this awful incident. We are actively partnering with the FBI. We are not currently aware of anything in this guest’s background that would have identified him as a trust and safety threat to us at the time of the reservation.”
A Tesla Cybertruck, which was also hired through Turo, detonated outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas in a different event. After approaching the valet area on Wednesday, the truck, which was loaded with gasoline and explosives, exploded.
BREAKING
Multiple law enforcement sources told ABC News that the Cybertruck that exploded in Las Vegas was rented on the Turo app — the same app, according to sources at the app, was also used to rent the pickup truck used in the New Orleans overnight attack. pic.twitter.com/c4bS6zNczc
— Conflict Radar (@Conflict_Radar) January 1, 2025
Seven people were hurt, and the driver passed away. Turo was utilized to hire the car that was involved in the explosion, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Sheriff Kevin McMahill. Investigations are still on, despite the fact that officials have declared the occurrences unrelated.
Response from Turo
In a statement to NewsNation, Turo expressed its condolences and stressed that a host’s car was involved in the New Orleans incident. The business explained that there was nothing in Jabbar’s past at the time of the reservation that would have raised concerns about his potential to compromise the platform’s security.