Abandoned Cars Could Be Costly For Tulsa-Area Drivers

Emory Bryan, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- With more snow on the way, look for more cars to be stuck Wednesday morning, which can lead to some huge problems for drivers.

One driver found that out the hard way.

Nicole Maravilla is glad to have her truck back, even though it's not entirely in one piece.

Last Tuesday, in the middle of the blizzard, she got stuck on an off ramp from Highway 169.

"I hit a snow bank or something and it didn't take me long to realize I'm in trouble," she said.

She managed to hitchhike to a friend's house, but when she went back to get her truck, two days later, it was gone. She spent the next day trying to figure out where it was.

"I couldn't believe with all the people who I was calling, no one could tell me where my car was, it was very frustrating, and me being a single mom, no car means no way to work, means no way to support my daughter," she said.

Like so many other people, she got stuck in the snow, close to traffic.

A tow truck was dispatched to move it to make room for snow plows, but possibly because of a mix-up with the tag and title, the wrecker service told her they didn't have it.

She says only after she filed a stolen car report was her car found at the wrecker service. The towing charge and storage fees cost her $130.

Her terrible experience gives her the chance to give other drivers some advice.

"Take your time, if it's too bad, don't go out, just don't go out, and don't get stuck," she said.

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