Author Archive for Jason Lancaster

2000 Toyota Tundra Owner Helps To Catch a Murderer

Owning a truck means a lot of different things to people, but it sure seems like truck owners are more helpful than regular old car owners…think about it:

• When someone needs a tow, who do they call?
• When it’s time to move?
• When someone needs a jump or mechanical help?

It turns out that truck owners help fight crime too – here’s a story about a 2000 Tundra owner that helped catch a murderer.

It started at a McDonalds

Lawton Walker was sitting in his Tundra in the McDonalds parking lot when a robber confronted two McDonald’s employees in the car next to Walker. Incredibly, the robber pulled a gun, stole the deposit, and then for no apparent reason shot and killed one of the employees as they sat defenseless in their vehicle.

Walker, stunned by what had just occurred, took action. He started his Tundra up, and when the murderer jumped in his car, Walker rammed his truck into it. While the damage didn’t stop the murderer in his tracks, it definitely slowed him down. Walker then chased the murderer in his vehicle until he was pulled over by police. Due in part to Walker’s actions, the police were able to apprehend the murderer.

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

No one would have faulted Walker for staying out of danger and simply calling 9-1-1. Frankly, Walker is very lucky to live in a place where local law enforcement supported his actions. Depending on your perspective, Walker’s actions could be considered reckless…but that’s the crux of it, isn’t it? Every time we pull over to help a stuck motorist, or jump out of our trucks to push a car in the snow, we compromise our safety. Being helpful isn’t always the safest course of action, and it goes without saying that Walker took a great risk.

Walker and the damage to his 2000 Tundra. Image ©Jacksonville.com

In Walker’s case, things seem to have worked out OK. While there is damage to his Tundra, the local AutoCrafters collision center and Keith Pierson Toyota have offered to fix his truck free of charge, as did the local Fraternal Order of Police. Walker is quoted as saying that “he’s no hero,” and that he’s grateful to have his family. Walker’s sentiments go out to the victim of this crime, Raynold Orelus.

Orelus was a Haitian immigrant and father of five, four of whom live in Haiti. Orelus’s family wouldn’t have been able to afford the trip to attend his funeral had it not been for some financial assistance from local business and others. If you’d like to help out the family:

An account has been established at VyStar Credit Union for donations to the family of slain Haitian immigrant Raynold Orelus. Donations can be made at any branch in the name of Orelus’ wife, Miraclide Orelus, to account number 702809176.

Read the full story on Jacksonville.com. Our best to the Orelus family.

UAW Leaders Forget GM Closed NUMMI

Perhaps lost in all the recall news, we’d like to touch base on the pending closure of New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc., an auto plant that was a joint venture between GM and Toyota. Started in 1984, NUMMI is the very last major auto manufacturing plant in California. While California’s anti-business regulations contributed to NUMMI’s closure, there’s no denying that General Motor’s bankruptcy was the event that started it all.

When General Motors backed out of NUMMI, Toyota followed suit. Why isn't GM getting any of the blame from the UAW?

When GM abandoned NUMMI, Toyota followed suit…as is the fashion when one business partner abandons the other. However, rather than blaming GM for decades of mis-management (or perhaps looking in the mirror at decades of outrageous labor policies), the UAW is protesting against Toyota.

BusinessWeek’s Scathing Review of Toyota Congressional Hearings

BusinessWeek contributor Ed Wallace wrote an article titled “The Toyota Witch Hunt” that is a must-read for anyone following Toyota’s unintended acceleration debacle. Here are some of the highlights:

Five Ways Toyota is Like Communist Russia

For all of our boasting here at TundraHeadquarters about the fact that the Tundra is more ‘American’ than the Dodge Ram or the GM pickups, and that Toyota’s profits on the Tundra don’t really go overseas, the recent recall fiascos (officially known as “Recall-mageddon” – shout out to J.D.) illustrate that Toyota’s leadership is frighteningly lacking.

The similarities between Toyota leadership and Soviet Russia - just for fun.

Here are some facts and figures about Toyota’s senior executives and management chain-of-command…and how eerily similar it is to old-time Soviet Russia:

Toyota Unintended Acceleration Hearings Summary

This week a congressional committee interviewed a handful of people claiming to be unintended acceleration victims, safety experts, and Toyota execs. While Toyota has focused this week on enhanced recall measures and a re-commitment to quality, the media has focused on rampant speculation.

Here’s a breakdown of all the major developments from the hearings: