Story Archive

Taking the (Lemon) Law into Your Own Hands

David Cross’s wife bought a van from the Portsmouth (N.H.) Used Car Superstore. “It was a piece of crap,” Cross said. He says the van had multiple issues including a broken odometer and damage from a previous wreck, so he took it back to the dealer. The dealer not only refused to refund his money, but wouldn’t even negotiate the price on another van. So Cross returned that night and drove the van onto the lot — and into multiple vehicles. “I hit the first $25,000 car I could see,” Cross said. “I didn’t hit a car under $20,000. Then I moved a van that they wouldn’t come down on the price for. I moved it with the lemon they sold me. I just held it to the floor until I couldn’t move it any more.” In all, he says, “I took out seven vehicles, including my own.” He then flagged down a police cruiser and turned himself in. “I woke up this morning and wondered if it was a dream,” he said, “but then I looked over and there’s my bail papers.” (MS/Portsmouth Herald) ...Getting the answer to “Was it worth it?” might take awhile.