SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - “It feels great!” Da’Aud Celestine told Team 10 via Skype after learning the towing company that’s been holding his car for more than 4 months is giving it back, for free.
The Navy submariner bought the 1984 Porsche 944 last year when the USS Oklahoma City came to San Diego for repairs. When his command issued orders for Celestine to fly to his home base in Guam, he thought the car would be OK if left in a long term parking lot on Naval Base Point Loma until he could have it shipped overseas.
He was wrong.
The car was towed after base authorities realized it wasn’t registered. By the time Celestine found out his car was impounded at Western Towing, the bill to retrieve it was nearly as much as he paid for the vehicle.
Celestine told Team 10 the tow company lowered the price from $4,200 to $2,100 after they realized he was active duty.
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Western Towing said it supports the military, even if it means sometimes offering discounts and other arrangements at the company’s own expense.
Celestine said he hopes other servicemembers will learn from his mistakes. He vowed to take steps in advance to make sure his car is stored properly next time it's on base.
