Paralyzed Veteran Angry After He's Fined For Using Fellow Vet's Unexpired Parking Pass
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - A disabled U.S. Army veteran was left outraged after he returned to his van after attending the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Downtown Dallas to find his vehicle booted and fined.
"It was embarrassing," said Jonathan Merchant.
Paralyzed from the chest down, the disabled vet had to pay $120 in order to get his wheelchair accessible van back from the parking lot.
"I just couldn't believe what was going on," said Merchant.
A fellow veteran who was leaving the wheelchair games noticed Merchant struggling to run his credit card at the parking kiosk. The man gave Merchant his parking pass since it had several hours left on the pass.
Merchant said the parking attendant told him that is not allowed.
"He had no compassion for the disabled. He didn't care whether I could move my fingers. He didn't care. He said this is a business. I'm here to run a business," said Merchant.
When reached for comment, Ace Parking did not immediately return any phone calls.
While the lot does have signs stating "in and out parking" is not allowed, there is not a sign in view that forbids transfers nor does the pass specify transfers are not allowed.
Merchant paid the fine and got his van back but is hoping by speaking out, this will not happen to another person.
"They need to look out for other veterans or other people with disabilities for that matter," said Merchant.
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