"The trunk here, it won’t latch," said Jessica Jenkins of what she says has been her biggest source of stress.
The Redford resident’s damaged car is the result of an incident that began in June when a tree across the street split in half, falling directly onto a neighbor’s home.
Wayne County, responsible for tree, sent workers out to clean up the damage.
"They cut it off her house and they left the logs on her grass and they said they would be back because the rest of the tree has to come down. They did not come back fast enough. And then within three days, it fell again," said Jenkins.
This time, it hit Jenkins' car.
Wayne County workers came out yet again to clean up the mess. She says they calmed her worries about the car damage.
"They told me that this is their problem...that this is their responsibility."
Jenkins immediately submitted estimates for a fix that would price in at over $3,000.
But the county said they wouldn’t foot the bill, arguing workers left the tree in “safe conditions” and instead, blamed it on inclement weather conditions.
Jenkins questions how a tree deemed “safe” could fall just three days after workers reportedly secured it: "I didn’t understand how could you say the tree was fine when clearly it wasn’t fine."
Nina Sealie, a neighbor, agrees. She says the county should have cut the whole tree down.
"If they done it the first time, it would avoid the damages to her car," said Sealie.
After several complaints workers returned and ultimately removed the tree. But the bill for the $3,000 dollar damage it caused remains.
So our Taking Action team went looking for answers. The county declined an on camera interview but Claire Mason Lee, Division Director of the county's risk management department, issued a statement saying:
It appears that either high winds, a lightning strike, or both may have caused the trunk to split. In situations like this, the owner of the vehicle would need to make a claim with her automobile insurance carrier.
"I shouldn’t have to pay for that on my own. And I feel I have two small children. That’s taking money from them."
Unfortunately, Jenkins had third party insurance at the time, which means she will have to front the bill. If the county won't help, she's hoping somebody else can.
