A DRIVER has been left without a vehicle after it was stolen and trashed, causing her thousands of dollars of damage.
Helen Marie, a single mother from Kissimmee, Florida, had her car taken in a shocking incident at a local car wash.
A woman’s car suffered thousands of dollars of damage after it was stolen from a car wash[/caption]
The vehicle damaged other cars and eventually crashed into a pole[/caption]
According to a report from NBC affiliate WESH, Marie had just dropped her two daughters off at daycare when she was headed to the auto wash.
But after stepping out of her car to grab her car’s mats, she said she saw someone climb into the driver’s seat.
“When they put the vehicle in reverse and I heard the tires screeching … it was an aggressive move,” Marie said.
“I knew this wasn’t something typical or something you would expect.”
It later emerged that Chanel Aisha Anderson, 33, was accused of stealing the car and taking it for a joyride.
According to police, Anderson drove through the car wash and out onto the street where she then struck several other vehicles.
She eventually stopped when she hit a pole.
I tried to salvage what I could from those diapers, but there were shards of glass in the diapers
Helen Marie
While Marie was unharmed in the incident, other drivers and passengers were taken to the hospital – and the ordeal caused $20,000 worth of damage.
Marie added that with her liability coverage, she won’t receive money from her insurance company to buy a new car.
What’s worse is that it’s left her struggling to prepare for the birth of her baby boy.
She said: “I had diapers in my vehicle at the time of the accident.
“Of course, me being a desperate single mom. I tried to salvage what I could from those diapers, but there were shards of glass in the diapers.”
Marie has started a GoFundMe fundraiser in hopes of being able to afford another car.
Elsewhere, a man was left outraged after he spotted a car being illegally towed right before his very eyes – but his quick thinking saved a customer from a potentially hefty fee.
A vehicle expert, who runs a business restoring and servicing classic cars, revealed how he was able to step in and stop a company notorious for its predatory towing practices.
According to a report by FOX4, a tow truck driver working for Haney’s Trucking and Tow, based in Kansas City, Missouri, attempted to illegally remove a vehicle parked outside the man’s business.
“To see people violating state law – the same law I am expected to follow,” said the man, who filmed the incident but asked to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation from the tow company.
In video footage of the incident, the Haney’s Tow truck is seen arriving at the scene and quickly attempting to remove one of the man’s customer’s vehicles – until he intervenes.
Worse still, the tow driver attempted the tow without a property representative, in violation of Missouri law.
Proper conduct during a traffic stop
According to the ACLU, there are a few tips for ensuring a smooth traffic stop, no matter the violation.
- Stop the vehicle in a safe place away from traffic as soon as possible.
- Kill the engine, roll down the windows, and place your hands on the driving wheel. If it’s dark outside, turn on the interior lights to give the officer a good visual. If you’re in the passenger’s seat, keep your hands visible.
- Only reach for your purse or wallet, registration, and proof of insurance when instructed to by the officers. Do not reach for the glove box until prompted by the officer.
- Do not make sudden movements. Narrate everything you’re doing, ie, “I’m reaching for my purse in the backseat.”
- Keep your tone calm and respectful.
Source: ACLU
