On a brutally hot, 97-degree day in Houston, Army veteran Lonnice McCaskill is walking with her husband Emmanuel and three of her four children. It’s a walk she doesn’t want to take, but it’s the only way they can get three-year-old Emmeliah, who has autism, to her doctor’s appointment.
KPRC’s Bill Spencer helps solve an awful problem for one Houston family.
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Lonnice, a former sergeant in the United States Army who served in Iraq, now finds herself walking everywhere due to a lack of reliable transportation.
It all started over a year ago when a red-light runner totaled the family’s 2013 Chrysler Town and Country van. Financially struggling, and with Emmanuel injured and unable to work, the McCaskill’s gathered their savings to purchase a used 2004 Honda Odyssey. But just two months later, the vehicle began showing serious issues.
Lonnice McCaskill: “It was like a creaking sound. Any time we would turn the wheel, it would make a grinding, metal-on-metal sound. I’d have to use my whole-body weight to turn.”
Unfortunately, the problems with the Odyssey didn’t stop there.
The repairs needed include:
- A complete replacement of the rack and pinion steering system.
- New brakes.
- A new front axle assembly.
- Replacement of the shocks and struts.
All told, these repairs would cost $15,000.
Lonnice McCaskill: “It’s very dangerous. I have kids in the car. There’s no way we can afford another repair. When we bought the vehicle, we were told it was already rebuilt.”
Making matters worse, Lonnice is weeks away from starting the Houston Police Training Academy to become a Houston cop, but she won’t be able to make it there without reliable transportation.
That’s where we step in.
Bill Spencer: “No one deserves to have their car fixed more than you. We’re going to do it absolutely free.”
Christian Brothers Automotive stepped in to join Bill’s Brigade to help the family. Bill’s still working on that story and we will bring it to you next week.
Check out more from the Spencer Solves It team.
