On Friday, October 20, I went the Pepboys service center located at 1804 University Blvd, in Hyattsville, MD to get my Volvo 850 checked out. One of the technicians came out, looked at my car and suggested that I take it to the Midas across the street to have them check out my exhaust system because Pepboys doesn't do exhaust work. The Pepboys on University Blvd has two entrances and exits to the parking lot, one on University Blvd and one on Riggs Road. At around 1:15 pm, I proceeded to the Riggs Road exit to go to the Midas just across the street. When leaving the lot there were two vehicles ahead of me which were leaving at the same exit. I came to a complete stop in order to wait my turn. I was about seven feet behind the second vehicle. The first vehicle exited. After the first vehicle exited, the second vehicle inexplicably reversed very hard into my car from about seven feet away.
The vehicle which hit my car was one of the leased trucks driven by a young Pepboys driver. This truck has a steel bumper and caused major damage to the hood, grill, radiator, and front end of my car. The point of impact was at the hood and grill. There was no damage to the Pepboys truck. The driver, 21 year old Kevaughn Smith, backed into my car so hard and so fast that I didn't have time to react. I was just in shock that someone would be stupid enough to due such a thing. After all, he ran into my new car, a fully loaded Volvo 850.
I purchased this car from a dealer in Virginia less than a month ago. This was the car that I wanted to buy. I personally have a love affair with the 850 model of Volvo. Soon after buying the car, I went to Circuit City and had a brand new expensive stereo system installed. One of the reasons that I bought this car is because it's good on the highway. I travel a lot with my fund raising job.
So, after being hit, I was naturally upset and angry. I got out of the car and questioned the driver as to what he was thinking. When he and I were alone, he acknowledged that he was a fault. But, after his managers came out, he changed his story and said that I rammed my beautiful car into him. I couldn't believe that he was such a liar. His managers were taking his side and didn't give me the benefit of the doubt. I looked around for some witnesses and saw some Latino men nearby, but they said they didn't see what happened.
I am writing this letter for several reasons. First of all, I want to insure that the gross negligence and deception of the driver, 21 year old Kevaughn Smith, isn't overlooked. Secondly, to point out how this incident is causing me great mental anxiety due to the damage to my car and the loss of wages due to my inability to travel for my job. There is no way to express to you in words what I am going through at this time. I can just say that it is horrible.
I am a 44 year old man with a clean driving record. I am a very careful driver, which is more than I can say for Kevaughn Smith. The Volvo that I bought had a perfect flawless body and interior before it was backed into. I need righteous and immediate attention in this matter.
I sent this information to Pepboy's Claims Department in Philadelphia, PA and spoke with Steve Shur. A few days later Steve called me and said that they are not responsible for the damage to my car because it is my word against Kevaughn's. His exact words were, I don't have a crystal ball, and I don't know who to believe. I asked him if Kevaughn would have lost his job if he told the truth and he said, No.
If anyone is interested in going starting a Class Action Lawsuit against Pepboys, please count me in. Before I had respect for this company, but knowing how they operate in crunch time has changed my opinion.
Sincerely,
Darren B.
Incident Report Number:
610204096
Darren
Columbus, Ohio
U.S.A.
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