Greenwich race car driver sues Darien Chevrolet dealer after employees allegedly crashed his Camaro

Darien Times ^ | July 20, 2024 | Molly Hersh

[xxqqzz]

DARIEN — An Australian race car driver is suing a Darien Chevrolet dealership after two employees reportedly totaled his car while taking it on an unauthorized drive.

In a lawsuit filed in Stamford Superior Court June 17, race car driver Kenny Habul claimed two employees of H & L Chevrolet in Darien took Habul’s Chevrolet Camaro off the premises and crashed the vehicle on Interstate 95.

Habul, a Greenwich resident, is a competitive race car driver and the president and CEO of a solar development company called SunEnergy1.

The car, a 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Hendrick Edition with a 1LE extreme track package described as a “collector’s item,” was reported a total loss. According to the complaint, the vehicle only had 989 miles on it and was valued at $97,000.

According to the complaint, Habul brought the car to the Darien dealership on a flatbed truck after the car reportedly would not start. The complaint goes on to state “there was no need to test drive the vehicle” and the dealership was instructed that “under no circumstances was any employee to take the vehicle off of the lot.”

The complaint then states H & L employees Matthew Sebastian and Joseph Ingram took the car off the lot against instructions and drove onto I-95, with Sebastian behind the wheel. The complaint states that the car was reportedly traveling 89 miles per hour three seconds before the crash, based on the factory track data recorder.

“In other words, in the seconds before the crash, Mr. Sebastian gunned the engine and lost control of the high-performance vehicle that he should not have been driving,” the complaint reads.

[xxqqzz]

Apparently, he took the car in for service because it wouldn't start. They took it out on the interstate and went out of control at 90 mph, totaling the $100K car. The car owner is suing.

[SaveFerris]

No doubt some of the rich ladies out there are trying to figure out a last-minute Christmas gift for me. I'll need not only the car but a bank account stocked with cash to cover the sales taxes, property taxes, insurance, gasoline, etc. for at least 25-30 years. KK? Thanks!!

[T.B. Yoits]

[Ikeon]

97k don’t buy much anymore .

[SaveFerris]

I gave the guy $5 too!!!

[Larry Lucido]

Darien Chevrolet is where you work if you're not Penske Chevrolet material.

[SaveFerris]

I though the miles would come off!!

[martin_fierro]

Textbook case of Res ipsa loquitor, presumable negligence involving misuse of a bailment. At least based on these facts.

The dealership would do well to settle this case, fast.

[Libloather]

It should buff right out.

[Omnivore-Dan]

There are only a few things that would make me want to strangle someone. This is one of them.

[telescope115]

What a beautiful machine. Such a waste….

[Ezekiel]

the dealership was instructed that “under no circumstances was any employee to take the vehicle off of the lot.”

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Res ipsa loquitor

Especially if the odometer reading was on his copy of the work order.

[TwelveOfTwenty]

I’m as ticked about the bailouts as anyone, but there’s no denying that is one beautiful car.

[TalBlack]

Even if they hadn’t crashed it the odometer would have told the owner someone drove it.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Lol

[Vermont Lt]

Those guys watched Ferris Bueller one too many times.

[Vaduz]

It’s what makes good salesmen rich.

[DemiurgeIV]

“That kid gets no tip!”

[SaveFerris]

Guess I was getting too sleepy lol 😂

I thought the miles would come off!!