A dissatisfied customer was captured on video driving his new Subaru through the entrance of a car dealership in anger on Monday, with the footage gaining widespread attention.
The individual, Michael Lee Murray, drove his Subaru Outback into the Tim Dale Mazda Southtowne dealership located in Sandy, Utah earlier this week. This act was seemingly part of a confrontation with the dealership after they declined to meet his demands.
In the video, the car can be seen smashing through the doors and crashing into a reception area, narrowly missing staff members who scrambled to avoid the vehicle and the glass debris.
Tyler Slade, the platform manager at the dealership, described the incident to KUTV, saying it “sounded like a bomb went off” when the car burst through the glass.
The video, which has circulated on social media, shows the irate 35-year-old stepping out of the vehicle and exclaiming, “I told you motherf*****s,” as he slammed the car door shut.
Staff members were overheard considering calling the police, to which Murray replied, “Call the cops, they got nothing.”
Murray removed his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and appeared to try to exit the shop before returning to inquire if anyone was “under the car.”
Once it was confirmed that no one was beneath the Subaru, Murray retrieved his jacket and left the premises.
The dealership staff then had to turn off the car and deal with the aftermath, which left the store in disarray and caused damage estimated to be thousands of dollars.
This violent episode followed Murray’s purchase of the vehicle earlier that day, with him attempting to return it shortly after.
He demanded a refund, and according to Newsweek, told authorities the dealership had sold him “a lemon.”
After his request for a refund was refused, Murray, infuriated, warned the staff he would drive the Subaru through the front doors—and then carried out his threat.
Nonetheless, Murray mentioned to Inside Edition that his drastic actions were fueled by a moment of intense anger, suggesting he might regret his behavior.
Murray stated: “I was just really angry, I was upset about my money. I kind of blacked out for a second. I know I probably shouldn’t have done it but I guess I hit a breaking point.”
Sandy police took Murray into custody at the Salt Lake County Jail, charging him with felony criminal mischief, as well as misdemeanors for reckless endangerment and economic disruption.
The booking affidavit, accessed by Newsweek, detailed how his vehicle “was completely inside the building,” destroying the store’s front doors and leaving “glass shattered all around.”
Debris from the doors and their frames also struck another car in the dealership, resulting in damage estimated at $10,000.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported, though staff members recounted having to evade the oncoming vehicle.
Murray was released from custody on Tuesday.