A vehicle includes a vehicle door assembly including a door handle assembly and a door latch assembly that includes a door latch device operatively connected to the door handle assembly using a latch release lever that moves along a travel path to place the door latch device in an unlatched configuration. A latch release blocking structure is located within an interior volume of the vehicle door assembly. The latch release blocking structure includes a first leg that is mounted to a support portion. An overhang portion is connected to the first leg. The overhang portion extends over at least a portion of the travel path of the latch release lever. A second leg extends from the overhang portion toward the support portion to a free end that is spaced from the mounting structure providing a gap along the travel path of the latch release lever.