Inspector Tom Kamphaus observed fuel being removed from a ground tank at the station when he arrived and was informed by an employee that a new delivery driver had inadvertently filled the diesel ground tank with gasoline. The diesel pumps had been bagged to prevent use.
Eric Wishart of Hamilton said in a complaint that his Ford F-350 diesel truck suffered $13,000 in damage on Friday due to pumping gasoline into his tank. He said he needs a complete fuel system replacement.
Toby Howell of Hamilton complained that he used a diesel pump at the station on Sunday morning and his vehicle was damaged by gasoline.
“I paid at the pump, pumped from a diesel pump and got gasoline,” Howell said. “This is destructive and dangerous.”
Both men are pursuing claims against Speedway for the damage caused to their vehicles.
“We receive complaints every year about vehicles shutting down or running poorly after purchasing fuel at Butler County gas stations,” Reynolds said. “The problem is usually associated with too much water in the ground tanks.”
Legislation that would allow county auditors to test fuel for quality as well as quantity is currently sitting in a house committee. HB 499, co-sponsored by State Rep. George Lang (R-West Chester) and Rep. Brigid Kelly (D-Cincinnati), was introduced on Feb. 10 and assigned to the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee.
Sponsor testimony was provided to the committee on May 19. But there has been no further legislative activity on the bill.
“It’s time for legislators to take action,” Reynolds said.
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