Most drivers use gas station pumps at least once or twice per month. They are primarily concerned with finding cheap gas prices, especially with the summer months rolling in. However, there is a growing concern about drivers filling up with gas that has water in it, as this causes expensive bills with auto mechanics. Now, one South Carolina man is suing Circle K for damages after contaminated diesel damaged his pickup truck.

Going to gas station pumps and getting fuel with water in it is uncommon but also dangerous

According to Post and Courier, a man named Edreone Brockington used the gas station pumps at one of the Circle K stores in Charleston on January 9th. Notably, his truck uses diesel. However, after filling up, the man began to experience several issues that forced him to look for auto mechanics to determine what went wrong. His problems included sensor warnings, loss of power, and mechanical failure. 

After taking the truck to the mechanics at a Ford dealership, the man learned that he had gotten gas that had water in it from the pumps at the station. Naturally, this caused damage to the engine as well as other components. He then filed a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. The agency tested the fuel, which returned with a positive result for contamination. It’s also important to note that the agency received two other complaints from the same station the day before. This forced an immediate stop sell, is no longer in place. 

The driver filed his lawsuit over the gas station pumps on March 14th in Charleston County. He is seeking undisclosed damages after getting the gas that had water mixed into it. His attorney says they tried to settle the matter without going to court but received no response. Circle K released a statement, saying, “We have been in communication with the only customer known to have been impacted by this issue, and are working with him and his representatives to resolve his claim.”

Check out this recent article on why newer cars lack gas caps for more reading.