CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) — A Chula Vista man says he got a screeching, costly surprise after he started his car Wednesday morning.
Along Regency Way, just before 6:30 a.m., Jimmy got into his Toyota Corolla S, which was parked in the street.
"Started the car. As I was pulling out, felt my car lurch to the side," said Jimmy, who asked us not to use his last name.
The lurch came amid the most awful of noises.
"Pretty much like a crash ... felt the scraping of my rotor on the asphalt ... and then pretty much my car slammed into the asphalt itself. Traumatized and scared of what happened," said Jimmy.
His heart sank as he got out and stared at the driver's side wheels, which had fallen off.
"My lug nuts were completely missing, all ten of them on the left side," said Jimmy.
His repair estimate: a staggering $5,500. He's insured with a $500 deductible.
"Every little cost affects you. It matters," said Jimmy.
Jimmy's vehicle was not the only target. Two blocks away the same morning, another driver shared a similar fate because of stolen lug nuts. A member of the HOA board for the nearby condos told 10news that a month ago, there were reports of a car with loosened lug nuts.
The motive of the incidents remain unknown. Jimmy doesn't believe he was personally targeted, but he's fearful the thief will be back at it again.
"It could have cost my life or another driver's life. Definitely no joke and not funny," said Jimmy.
