New Jeep owner alleges hidden damage

BECKLEY – A Cyclone man has sued an auto dealership, alleging it lied when selling him a 2012 Jeep that supposedly had never been damaged.

Kevin Sansom filed a lawsuit filed in Raleigh Circuit Court, against Crossroads Chevrolet in Fayette County, citing fraud.

According to the complaint, on Jan. 4, Sansom was at the dealership and was steered toward a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon by salesman Fred G. Honaker. While looking at the Jeep, the suit says, the plaintiff was told by Honaker the vehicle had never been in an accident or been damaged.

After buying it, according to the suit, Sansom started experiencing problems that revealed major damage had been done before he bought it. The plaintiff alleges he explicitly told the salesman he wanted a vehicle that hadn't been damaged in the past. On March 18, Sansom sent a letter requesting a refund, which was turned down, the suit says.

The plaintiff cites: fraud; rescission for material misrepresentation of facts; revocation of acceptance and violation of an implied warranty.

Sansom seeks: an order rescinding his purchase of the Jeep and the return of all money paid in principal and interest on his loan; damages for annoyance, aggravation, inconvenience and loss of the use of the vehicle; and costs. He is represented by attorney Anthony M. Salvatore of Hewitt & Salvatore PLLC in Beckley.

Raleigh Circuit Court case number: 15-C-362-K