Driver cited after damaging gas pump nozzle, hitting parked car in separate incidents at Saline gas station
A Saline man was cited twice within a two-week period after police say he damaged property at a local gas station on separate occasions with his parent’s truck.
An officer responded to the Speedway gas station at 134 E. Michigan Ave. shortly after 5 p.m. on Feb. 14 for a hit-and-run crash, reports said. No one was injured, but the driver of the Chevy Silverado turned the vehicle around and fled the scene.
Multiple witnesses told police the truck pulled into a spot next to an unoccupied vehicle and hit it. The driver then backed out and drove away, according to reports.
The parked Chevy Tahoe, owned by the gas station clerk, had visible damage that was later estimated at $5,000. Station security cameras captured video of the crash, and the officer recognized the vehicle from an unusual property damage complaint at the same location a few weeks earlier. Reports show the station’s clerk called police on Jan. 31 after a customer drove off with the gas pump nozzle still attached to his gas tank, reports said.
The nozzle tore away from the station, and the vehicle drove off. The driver pre-paid for the gas. Officers identified the vehicle’s owner, went to the family's home and spoke to their 18-year-old son, Alex Stowe, who was the driver. He told police he forgot about the nozzle until he realized he drove away with it, and went home without stopping because he didn’t know what else to do, reports said.
Officers took down his insurance information and forwarded it to the station owners, who estimated damage at $500.
At the officer’s request Monday, Stow came to the police station and gave a statement regarding the crash. He said it was an accident, and he intended to leave his name and phone number, but did not because he feared the reaction from his parents.
There was minor damage to his truck, reports said. The officer cited him for careless driving and failing to identify himself at the scene of a crash.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
FredMax
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 2:47 a.m.
It would be interesting to know just how far he drove with the gas nozzle still attached. On the other hand, why did they bother to solve the case with capture video - doesn't the ACLU tell us that surveillance cameras are not useful for solving crimes?
Jimmy McNulty
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 12:08 p.m.
OK, OK. If that were me and I was the genius behind the gas-nozzle drive-off, I would be too embarrassed to even drive by that gas station again, much less stop.
Ann English
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 1:55 a.m.
"Pulled into a spot next to an unoccupied vehicle and hit it." I'm still trying to understand what happened. It sounds like a very deliberate hit, like he knew whose vehicle he was hitting, suggesting he had a grudge against the owner. Last Thursday, I was very surprised to see a man possibly in his sixties pulling out onto a road in front of me with his gas tank cover hanging loose and the car body cover for it wide open. But no, he wasn't pulling out of a gas station.
RJA
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 12:19 a.m.
This is one on the reasons I think we need more law enforcement, rather than cuts.
loves_fall
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 9:31 p.m.
When I first saw the headline I thought it was going to turn out to be some really old guy with cataracts and dementia who needs to stop driving... but no, the fun with this kid is probably just beginning. At least they tracked him down. I feel like Michigan is having a serious problem with accountability these days and there are people fleeing scenes of accidents left and right.
smokeblwr
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 8:41 p.m.
Wow. Talk about a serious case of needing to "Man-Up"!! Terrible driving coupled with cowardly reactions. Who says old people are the worst drivers?!!