CBS2 Exclusive: Jefferson Township Gas Station Accused Of Watering Down Fuel
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- When you pay for gas, you expect to get 100 percent fuel, but that was apparently not the case at one New Jersey gas station.
As CBS2's Matt Kozar reported exclusively, because of the compromised fuel, cars are breaking down and people are getting hit with expensive repair bills.
"All for a $20 fill-up. Cost me $1,700," said Dina DiGirolamo.
DiGirolamo, a single mom, said she can't afford the mechanic's bill to fix her new car.
"They said it's pretty bad. It was probably 95 percent water to gas," she said.
When DiGirolamo filled up her Ford Focus Wednesday night at the Delta gas station on Route 23 in Jefferson Township, she said she got mostly water in her fuel tank, not gasoline.
And she wasn't the only one, Kozar reported. Jefferson Township police said they've received 10 complaints from drivers who stalled after gassing up at the same station.
So CBS2's Kozar went looking for answers.
"We heard reports of cars being damaged here because of gasoline they got?" Kozar asked an attendant.
The attendant wouldn't comment, but offered the manager's information. The manager wouldn't go on camera and referred CBS2 to the owner, who never returned calls for comment, Kozar reported.
But the manager claimed a snow plow cause the problem after it knocked off a cap protecting the station's gas tank.
Police sources told CBS2 county inspectors visited the station on Friday. But the gas station is still operational, unnerving to drivers filling up there.
"Oh wonderful, ok great, thanks. I hope we're good," said one motorist. (What do you think about this?) It's terrible."
For now, DiGirolamo is driving a loaner car. She said she wants the gas station's owner to pay for her car's repairs.
"I just want what's fair. I want the money paid. I don't want a waiting game. I don't want to fight anybody for anything," she said.
DiGirolamo said someone at the gas station took down her information, but she has not heard from anyone, and is worried other drivers might be having the same experience.
CBS2 was unable to reach inspectors with the county's Weights and Measures Division.