Stranded Georgia drivers face steep towing fees after snowstorm

Drivers abandoned cars during icy weather, now hit with high bills for towing and storage

ATLANTA (CNN/WXIA)- After a rare snowstorm hit the Southeast, icy roads in metro Atlanta left many drivers stranded, forcing them to abandon their vehicles. As the weather cleared, drivers returned to find their cars towed and hefty fees charged by wrecking companies.

Erik Espinosa, one of the affected drivers, described his experience. “I tried to move my car off the road to avoid it being hit,” he said. However, when he returned, his Dodge Charger was gone, and he was handed a bill nearing $750.

The towing company used by Clayton County Police attributed the charges to towing and storage fees, which quickly added up. “For that was like $300 or $400,” Espinosa explained. “The rest came from regular towing, which was around $200.” Each day his car remains on the lot, additional daily fees accrue.

The incident highlights growing frustrations among residents, many of whom are airing their grievances on social media. Complaints about exorbitant fees and perceived unfair towing practices have sparked calls for more oversight of towing companies during emergencies.

As the region recovers from the storm, the towing controversy adds another layer of challenges for those already impacted by the weather.