Tundra Runs into Dealership

bsramzy · 01-31-2010, 12:28 PM

I posted this in a local forum but I really think it was convenient timing on the trucks part.

2theadvocate.com | News | Man?s truck strikes BR Toyota dealership — Baton Rouge, LA

Man’s truck strikes BR Toyota dealership
By KATIE KENNEDY
Advocate staff writer
Published: Jan 31, 2010

A man who attempted to return his recalled Toyota pickup truck to All Star Toyota on Airline Highway on Saturday crashed into the dealership building when his allegedly faulty accelerator stuck, the Baton Rouge Police Department reported.

The crash caused extensive damage to the truck involved, but no major injuries were reported, said Lt. Todd G. Lee Sr., chief of administrative services for the Police Department.

Mikel Valviva sought to return his truck to the dealership at 9150 Airline Highway, saying he no longer wanted it because of the recall on the accelerator, Lee said.

The dealership’s manager, Joe Costanza, offered to repair Valviva’s truck and loan him a car in the meantime, Lee said.

Matt McKay, owner of the All Star Automotive Group, said Costanza explained to Valviva on three separate occasions on Saturday that the dealership could not refund his money for the truck.

McKay said the process during the recall requires dealerships to provide a loaner car while the recalled vehicle is repaired.

Valviva refused the offers and tried to leave the dealership, but his gas pedal stuck, Lee said. The truck accelerated forward, striking the building, Lee said.

EMS personnel treated Valviva and his passenger for minor injuries on scene, Lee said.

McKay said a cosmetic column on the building received only minor damage.

Costanza confirmed Valviva’s truck is one of the models included in the recall, Lee said.

The investigating officer found no evidence the incident was intentional, Lee said.

“He didn’t have enough evidence to say that definitively,” Lee said.

McKay said he had “no comment” when asked if he believed the incident was accidental.

This is the first report of an accident caused by a faulty accelerator on a Toyota in the Greater Baton Rouge area, Lee said.

McKay said Valviva bought the truck in March 2009, and he had “no previous complaints or issues with the gas pedal.”

Attempts by The Advocate to reach Valviva on Saturday afternoon were unsuccessful.

Toyota Motor Co. said Tuesday it was suspending the sale of eight models and recalling more than 2 million cars because the gas pedals could become harder to press, slower to spring back or stuck.

Sean Kane, director of Safety Research and Strategies, a consumer group that conducts research into motor vehicle safety issues, said his firm has identified 2,274 incidents of sudden unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles leading to at least 275 crashes and 18 deaths since 1999, the Associated Press reported.

PapoZalsa · 01-31-2010, 02:00 PM

WOW, Toyota continues to go downhill with News like that.

dad · 01-31-2010, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapoZalsa

WOW, Toyota continues to go downhill with News like that.

They will rebound! After all, Ford had gas tanks in the Crown Victoria, Pinto, and Torino's that exploded into flames , in rear end collisions!

FuszNissan · 01-31-2010, 02:32 PM

Ford and GM uses the same gas pedals as toyota. I wonder when Toyota will try and divert the attention and bring this up.

PapoZalsa · 01-31-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad

They will rebound! After all, Ford had gas tanks in the Crown Victoria, Pinto, and Torino's that exploded into flames , in rear end collisions!

You right about Ford!! Plus the Explorers flipping over in the highway.

g96818 · 01-31-2010, 09:15 PM

really helps their image

Chico370Z · 02-01-2010, 12:57 PM

omg lol

m4a1mustang · 02-01-2010, 01:08 PM

I bet it was intentional.

phelan · 02-01-2010, 01:12 PM

yep, i call BS. guy just didn't want his truck anymore and is trying to feast off of toyota's troubles.

vipor · 02-01-2010, 01:15 PM

Yeah Toyota bounced back after their failings in the early 80's, they should be able to overcome this as well. They make good motors and cars, but evidently whoever designed these pedals is due for a lynching.

IDZRVIT · 02-01-2010, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phelan

yep, i call BS. guy just didn't want his truck anymore and is trying to feast off of toyota's troubles.

Think he'll get it repaired at that dealership?

Pharmacist · 02-01-2010, 04:51 PM

lol, hilarious! but yeah, it does seem fishy. so he brings in the truck to get rid of it, but they refuse, so he gets in and right there and then the accelerator conveniently gets stuck and he crashes the truck into the same dealership that turned him down. way too many coincidences happening at the right place and the right time. more likely he found this is the best way to 1. get rid of the truck he doesn't want anymore, 2. take revenge on the dealership that turned him down by smashing their walls, 3. have a very convenient excuse for the accident considering all the troubles and bad press toyota is getting for those stuck pedals.

CBRich · 02-01-2010, 07:56 PM

A well thought out plan if you ask me.

bigaudiofanat · 02-01-2010, 08:28 PM

Now that was funny, I am not worried about them getting a bad rep they will recover. But man that is funny.

ChrisSlicks · 02-01-2010, 10:43 PM

He probably was trying to get out of his ridiculously expensive loan, why else try to return a car that never had a problem until a recall was announced? Crashing it into the dealership was a nice touch though, "oops, my gas pedal stuck."

01-31-2010, 12:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
bsramzy Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: prairieville Posts: 70 Drives: 09 350z maNUAL Rep Power: 15	Tundra Runs into Dealership I posted this in a local forum but I really think it was convenient timing on the trucks part. 2theadvocate.com \| News \| Man?s truck strikes BR Toyota dealership — Baton Rouge, LA Man’s truck strikes BR Toyota dealership By KATIE KENNEDY Advocate staff writer Published: Jan 31, 2010 A man who attempted to return his recalled Toyota pickup truck to All Star Toyota on Airline Highway on Saturday crashed into the dealership building when his allegedly faulty accelerator stuck, the Baton Rouge Police Department reported. The crash caused extensive damage to the truck involved, but no major injuries were reported, said Lt. Todd G. Lee Sr., chief of administrative services for the Police Department. Mikel Valviva sought to return his truck to the dealership at 9150 Airline Highway, saying he no longer wanted it because of the recall on the accelerator, Lee said. The dealership’s manager, Joe Costanza, offered to repair Valviva’s truck and loan him a car in the meantime, Lee said. Matt McKay, owner of the All Star Automotive Group, said Costanza explained to Valviva on three separate occasions on Saturday that the dealership could not refund his money for the truck. McKay said the process during the recall requires dealerships to provide a loaner car while the recalled vehicle is repaired. Valviva refused the offers and tried to leave the dealership, but his gas pedal stuck, Lee said. The truck accelerated forward, striking the building, Lee said. EMS personnel treated Valviva and his passenger for minor injuries on scene, Lee said. McKay said a cosmetic column on the building received only minor damage. Costanza confirmed Valviva’s truck is one of the models included in the recall, Lee said. The investigating officer found no evidence the incident was intentional, Lee said. “He didn’t have enough evidence to say that definitively,” Lee said. McKay said he had “no comment” when asked if he believed the incident was accidental. This is the first report of an accident caused by a faulty accelerator on a Toyota in the Greater Baton Rouge area, Lee said. McKay said Valviva bought the truck in March 2009, and he had “no previous complaints or issues with the gas pedal.” Attempts by The Advocate to reach Valviva on Saturday afternoon were unsuccessful. Toyota Motor Co. said Tuesday it was suspending the sale of eight models and recalling more than 2 million cars because the gas pedals could become harder to press, slower to spring back or stuck. Sean Kane, director of Safety Research and Strategies, a consumer group that conducts research into motor vehicle safety issues, said his firm has identified 2,274 incidents of sudden unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles leading to at least 275 crashes and 18 deaths since 1999, the Associated Press reported. Last edited by bsramzy; 01-31-2010 at 09:20 PM.

01-31-2010, 02:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
PapoZalsa A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Not in Sunny Florida Posts: 6,358 Drives: 16 Nismo w/Tech Pack Rep Power: 4499	WOW, Toyota continues to go downhill with News like that. __________________ 2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs

01-31-2010, 02:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
FuszNissan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 14,275 Drives: Pure Sex Rep Power: 542	Ford and GM uses the same gas pedals as toyota. I wonder when Toyota will try and divert the attention and bring this up. __________________ Mods: Too Many to list! LouFuszNissan ZDAYZ 2012

01-31-2010, 09:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
g96818 Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: A rock in a big pond Posts: 681 Drives: 2009 370Z, 2012 M56 Rep Power: 3394	really helps their image __________________ CZP are lying thieves!

02-01-2010, 12:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chico370Z Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 233 Drives: 09 370Z Touring Rep Power: 15	omg lol __________________ 04 Nissan Sentra SpecV: Brembos, Nismo Intake/Exhaust/Short Shifter, Eibach Sportlines, ES MMI - SOLD / / / 09 Nissan 370Z Touring: Invidia Gemini Exhaust, ERZ HFC, GTM 25 Row Cooler, Z1 Tubes, and K&N Drop Ins

02-01-2010, 01:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	I bet it was intentional. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

02-01-2010, 01:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
phelan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA Age: 38 Posts: 9,513 Drives: Scoobaroo Rep Power: 3406	yep, i call BS. guy just didn't want his truck anymore and is trying to feast off of toyota's troubles. __________________ 凛 ('Rin') - 2009 Nissan 370Z With silence comes peace. With peace comes freedom. With freedom comes silence.

02-01-2010, 01:15 PM	#10 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 41 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 48	Yeah Toyota bounced back after their failings in the early 80's, they should be able to overcome this as well. They make good motors and cars, but evidently whoever designed these pedals is due for a lynching. __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

02-01-2010, 04:51 PM	#12 (permalink)
Pharmacist A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,249 Drives: 09 370z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 17	lol, hilarious! but yeah, it does seem fishy. so he brings in the truck to get rid of it, but they refuse, so he gets in and right there and then the accelerator conveniently gets stuck and he crashes the truck into the same dealership that turned him down. way too many coincidences happening at the right place and the right time. more likely he found this is the best way to 1. get rid of the truck he doesn't want anymore, 2. take revenge on the dealership that turned him down by smashing their walls, 3. have a very convenient excuse for the accident considering all the troubles and bad press toyota is getting for those stuck pedals.

02-01-2010, 07:56 PM	#13 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	A well thought out plan if you ask me.

02-01-2010, 08:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 852	Now that was funny, I am not worried about them getting a bad rep they will recover. But man that is funny. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

02-01-2010, 10:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	He probably was trying to get out of his ridiculously expensive loan, why else try to return a car that never had a problem until a recall was announced? Crashing it into the dealership was a nice touch though, "oops, my gas pedal stuck."

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