Prosecutable prototypes
State troopers in Bowling Green, Kentucky arrested two General Motors employees when police caught the men racing prototype 2020 Chevrolet Corvettes at 11:20 p.m. on Jan. 8.
Mark Derkatz, 30, of Windsor, Ont. and Alexander Thim, 27, were charged with reckless driving, racing a motor vehicle on a public highway and speeding more than 26 mph (41 km/h) over the speed limit.
Thim allegedly hit a top speed of 120 mph (193 km/h), while Derkatz reached 100 mph (160 km/h) in 45 mph (72 km/h) zone, according to the arrest citations.
The drivers told police they had been at a pool hall earlier in the evening, according to the report. Police also said a breath test detected the odour of alcohol, but the drivers were not cited for driving under the influence.
A third driver was also behind the wheel, though police said that person did not participate in the race.
GM has an assembly plant in Bowling Green, Ky. The company released a statement saying it is aware of the incident involving its “test vehicles” and is investigating.
Derkatz and Thim are scheduled for a court hearing on Jan. 17.
Wishy-washy
Elliot Berman is still trying to piece together exactly what happened inside the Canadian Tire car wash in Kanata, Ont. on Aug. 15.
According to Berman, he and his wife were listening to an audiobook inside their vehicle—which was placed in neutral—as it entered the tunnel-style car wash on Terry Fox Drive in Kanata. As the vehicle was pulled along the conveyor, the couple felt it lurch backwards as much as two metres; it had stuck part of the brush mechanism, damaging the rear-light assembly, the quarter panel and the rear door on the driver’s side.
In short, it was a crumpled mess.
When they emerged from the wash Berman immediately surveyed the damage and complained to the operator, who filled out an incident report.
It read, “As customer was entering the fan area, vehicle started moving backwards in the wash. Felt an impact, possibly vehicle behind them. Suggested contacting insurance. Informed them that I will review video and seek advice from home office.”
Berman went ahead and got the 2018 Nissan Qashqai repaired—what was supposed to be a mere five-dollar car wash turned into a $4,341.27 repair job. Further, his insurance company paid for a rental car for more than three weeks at a cost of more than $1,000.
Berman was left with a $500 deductible—and a number of questions.
He’s worried the claim will affect his insurance premiums, as his policy is set to be renewed this spring. He’s yet to receive any explanation from Canadian Tire.
“I would like to see them take responsibility for what was obviously a mechanical failure or malfunction,” said Berman. “It would be nice to be reimbursed the $500 deductible.”
Ridesharing rush
A Toronto, Ont. student has been left fuming after Uber declined to offer more than a five-dollar voucher after complaining to the company about a terrifying trip that saw her driver double the posted speed limit.
Alanna Moness, from Thornhill, Ont. was out with friends on Dec. 22 when she called up an Uber to take her home. According to Moness, the driver took the 90-km/h-limit Don Valley Parkway home—but the driver was travelling faster than 140 km/h at times, recklessly weaving in and out of traffic, she told CTV News.
Moness also took screenshots of the trip on the Waze traffic app. According to the screenshots, the drive was travelling at 85 km/h in a 40 km/h residential zone and 92 km/h in a 50 km/h zone.
A video taken by Moness also showed the driver ignoring a stop sign.
She did not confront the driver, feeling unsafe and alone, but contacted Uber Emergency to notify them of the situation once she arrived home—but was surprised by the lack of empathy from the renowned ridesharer.
“They just apologized for the inconvenience and gave me a five-dollar credit,” she said. “I reached out three different times but they just said they had already provided the appropriate adjustment.”
However, after she was contacted by CTV News, Uber reimbursed Moness’ $47.28 for the entire trip and said it would remove the driver’s access to Uber. A report was also filed to police and the incident is under investigation.
