Attorney David Femminineo, representing the estate of Hawkins, compared the owner’s responsibility in Hawkins’ death to when you lend your car to somebody so they can pick up lunch. If that person was to injure someone with your car, he told McClatchy News you would be liable for any negligent acts that occurred because you gave him or her permission to drive your car.
Lawyers fishing for the deepest pockets.
But the owner didn't "loan" the vehicle to anyone, he left it entrusted to a professional while in the course of performing his duties. So the owner's liability should be zero.
The dealership should be held vicariously liable due to providing insufficient training on the safe operation of manual transmission vehicles to their employee.
And especially so, since any shop REQUIRES the owner (and other non-'authorized' persons) to not be in the shop area..."for insurance purposes".