A man states his car was unlawfully towed by Downtown Towing and Recovery after his car crash previous week.
“It was Halloween morning, there was a huge snowstorm and when I was getting home from work around 3 a.m. I slipped on black ice and rammed into a guard rail,” said Gary Lewis. “I couldn’t really get the car out; I couldn’t back up or anything and I was blocking traffic.”
Lewis stated he was approached by a tow truck driver that was going to help at $300.
“I called my stepdad and he said no, to call AAA so I got back in my car and called,” he stated.
Soon after Lewis informed FOX4 he was approached by another tow truck driver.
“He knocked on my window saying he can tow me for free, he’s through AAA; there’s no charges or anything.”
Owing to shock and eager to get his car off the interstate, Lewis informed FOX4 that he agreed.
“That’s when it went all downhill,” Lewis stated. “There was no confirmation form that I had to fill out. I had to sign a paper but there was no copy. It felt like something was missing. He dropped me off at my house and he just took my vehicle, right then and there.”
Lewis informed FOX4 that his stepdad called Downtown Towing and Recovery to verify the company was AAA.
“He rejected that his tow truck driver ever said anything about AAA,” stated Randy Gulley. “That guy was arrested for soliciting a tow and the police said should not have to pay for the tow if it was taken unlawfully.”
However, the owner of the company, Andrew Snyder informed FOX4 it was a legal tow and Lewis just didn’t want to pay it. Snyder refused an on-camera interview and referred FOX4 to his attorney. His attorney declined an on-camera interview as well but informed FOX4 that his client was well within his right to tow the vehicle and suggested that Lewis pay the charge.
On day three, Lewis informed FOX4 that the fee has now reached $930 and that was not an amount he never planned to take.
KCPD informed FOX4 that they do not suggest accepting tow services from a firm that they have not called themselves.
