SPRING BRANCH — Approximately a dozen customers purchased fuel at a Circle K gas station at the intersection of Antoine and Long Point Road around May 16. Jack Tillet, one of the customers, purchased $12 worth of gasoline at this location.
Tillet's vehicle stopped operating a short distance from the station. Tillet said, "I got about a half mile down the road and my car just died." A mechanic identified water contamination within his vehicle's fuel system. Tillet's vehicle repair costs are estimated at $6,000.
A store cashier stated that about 10 vehicles sustained damage from the fuel. Tillet indicated that other vehicles were being towed to the same repair shop he used.
Circle K corporate communicated to affected customers that the specific location operates as an independent franchise and cannot receive compensation from the corporate entity. Tillet said, "They just got back to us yesterday and said, sorry, they can't help us. They're not affiliated with that Circle K. It's a franchise. There's nothing they can do, nothing they will do." At least six individuals filed formal complaints with state regulators regarding the incident. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation processes such complaints, with Texas regulations allowing fines up to $3,000 and license revocation for stations found selling contaminated fuel.