A man described by Smithfield Police as a ‘disgruntled customer’ intentionally rammed his truck into a car dealership Tuesday afternoon.
Police said Jason Lee Hensley, 39, of St. Mary’s Church Road, Kenly got into an argument with an employee about his 2013 Ram 2500HD truck at Deacon Jones Chrysler Dodge Ram at 1109 N. Brightleaf Boulevard.
As Hensley was leaving the dealership around 12:50pm he reportedly told an employee he was going to “rearrange the business.”
Moments later, Hensley got into his truck, backed up approximately 140 feet away from the south side of the building then accelerated forward striking the dealership at a high rate of speed. The impact knocked down two permanent walls and several temporary walls before crashing into the showroom area.
Police said several employees inside the dealership narrowly avoided being struck.
Hensley was taken to Johnston Medical Center in Smithfield to be evaluated. Hensley was then charged by Officer J.B. Sittig with assault with a deadly weapon, damage to property and reckless driving.
Damage to the dealership building was estimated at $40,000 and damage to Hensley’s truck at $30,000. Two parked 2017 model cars owned by Deacon Jones sustained $10,000 and $1,000 in damage from the falling debris.
On Wednesday, Police Captain J. Grady said additional charges are pending against Hensley pending consultation with the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office.
