At least 16 vehicles were left stranded in Nashville after drivers filled up at Murphy Express on Eastern Avenue and later experienced engine failures. Police reports and statements from affected motorists confirm that water was found mixed with the gasoline, prompting a state‑issued notice of violation.
Drivers report sudden loss of power
Bobby Lynch, who was driving a Mustang, said he filled his tank on Saturday and, while on I‑95, the engine cut out. “I got gas, I filled up. I drove to work. I got halfway to work, my car cut off right on I‑95,” Lynch told police. The malfunction required a replacement cam sensor, a repair that cost him close to $250.
Police records obtained by WRAL show that Lynch was not alone. “Throughout the day I think we towed roughly 16 to 20 cars away. Numerous amount of damage. All had one thing in common, they had left Murphy’s,” said Nashville police spokesperson Caleb Shockley.
State inspection finds water in fuel
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services responded to two complaints on Tuesday. An inspector who arrived on site discovered high concentrations of water in the gasoline and issued a notice of violation. While officials could not determine how the water entered the fuel, they noted that heavy rain over the weekend may have contributed to the contamination.
State officials also referenced a prior complaint filed last year, which did not result in any findings at that time. The department explained that once any repair work is completed, Murphy Express must request a follow‑up inspection before resuming fuel sales.
Station remains closed, drivers seek compensation
Murphy Express has been closed since the incident was reported. WRAL has reached out to the corporate office for a timeline on repairs and to ask whether the company will compensate the affected drivers, but a response has not yet been received.
Local consumer‑protection advocates advise motorists who suspect contaminated fuel to watch for warning signs such as a check‑engine light, engine misfiring, rough idling, difficulty starting, stalling, or loss of power. Promptly reporting these symptoms can help prevent further damage and assist authorities in identifying problematic fuel sources.
Past incidents highlight ongoing issue
This is not the first time the region has dealt with tainted gasoline. WRAL previously reported a similar case in Holly Springs, where a Valero station was found to be selling contaminated fuel after an investigation by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Earlier, a Refuel station in Apex received free repairs for customers after a fuel‑contamination complaint.
Consumers are encouraged to keep receipts and document any repairs related to suspected bad fuel, as this information can be valuable in any future claims or investigations.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
