Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
UTAH COUNTY -- A Utah couple's Chrysler van, which broke down in Canada three weeks ago, is fixed and being shipped back to Utah.
It's a good ending to a frustrating situation that left Scott and DeeAnna Sparks without their van and electric wheelchair.
We originally told you about this story on Wednesday night. Friday Scott Sparks said, "After your story aired, the next morning there was a call from a gentleman who said he was with Chrysler."
This story began Aug. 8 when the 2009 Town & Country van, with just 5,500 miles on it, had a brake problem while the Sparks were on vacation in Alberta, Canada. The local Chrysler dealer didn't have the replacement part. After four days of waiting, the Sparks flew home to Utah, without the wheelchair-equipped van and Scott's electric wheelchair he needs because he has multiple sclerosis.
After another two weeks of waiting and then being told it would be two more weeks until the van was fixed, we aired a story about the Sparks' dilemma. That got a prompt response from a Chrysler executive, who made some phone calls and got the van fixed the very next day.
Chrysler also offered to have the van returned to Utah free of charge and will reimburse the Sparks for their airfare to come home.
"I was disappointed with the service on the parts, but I'm satisfied with my car," Scott said. "I like my vehicle. If everything goes as planned so far, it's going to be great to get it back."
DeeAnna also is happy about getting the van back. "Now I will be able to go shopping without asking my husband to borrow his old truck," she said.
The Sparks say their faith in Chrysler has been renewed. They just wish it hadn't taken so long for it to get straightened out. Their van and Scott's wheelchair should arrive home early next week.
E-mail: spenrod@ksl.com
