MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man is crying foul after he went to pick up a friend at a Memphis apartment complex only to drive over a security spike, severely damaging his car in the process.
The purpose of security spikes or claws in certain parking lots or apartment complexes is to make it so people can’t come in the wrong way.
The problem is there was at least one at the entrance of RidgeCrest Apartment complex off Range Line Rd. where the gate was broken and wide open. The security bar was also broken and not blocking the entrance.
Saturday morning just after 5 p.m., James Goodman came to the complex to pick up a friend, but little did he know that moments after pulling through the front gate, his car and financials would be devastated.
There was a yellow speed bump that had security spikes, which Goodman did not see.
This caused more than a $1,000 worth of damage to his car.
“Busted a tire, tore up my gas tank, the oil pan, and some molding on the bottom of my car," Goodman said.
Goodman wishes there was a warning about the spikes.
“Any type of restriction to keep me from proceeding forward aside from the spike strips on the ground - which I did not see - I would’ve stopped. I mean, who wants to run over spike strips and ruin the car, and ruin their day?" Goodman said.
Goodman tried to talk to management, but said his cries for help fell upon deaf ears.
ABC24's Scott Madaus tried talking with management, asking if they would take responsibility for this dangerous incident. But he couldn’t get a direct response.
We also spoke with ALCO Management, who manages the property. They were also not interested in talking about or giving solutions to the problem.
Kevin Snider, a Memphis-area lawyer who specializes in consumer issues, said he believes the spike strips were installed incorrectly.
"I’ve never in my life seen spike strips installed on the way in," Snider said.
Snider added that these type of security devices are typically found in areas where the spikes retract upon exit, not engage at an open entrance.
James Goodman has filed a police report for documentation and is looking to work with a lawyer to get back the more than $1,500 he’s already spent on fixing his car.
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