'Coffin' prank not so funny to 2 Garner car owners
GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) -- A prank that went too far caused thousands of dollars' worth of damages to vehicles. The prank is known on YouTube and Vine as "Put'Em In the Coffin". The prank entails hurling yourself onto a flat surface and crossing your arms like you're in a coffin.
While it's considered a harmless prank, it's not funny to those who are subjected to it. Mary Lee and Lawrence Allen both have more than a one thousand dollars' worth of damages to their cars after the vehicles were jumped on for the prank. It happened back in June at a shopping plaza parking lot in Garner.
Surveillance video captured the prank.
"He took a running start and jumped up with both feet, and was standing on [my] car dancing around. I thought it was insane," Lee said.
The teen also jumped on Allen's Camaro that's only a few months old.
"They were basically just jumping on cars. When I walked out, I noticed the dent in my hood," Allen said.
A Captain with the Johnston County Sheriff's Office tells me the teen was part of a basketball team from the Duplin School District. He says the team was on their way to a tournament at NC State and stopped to eat in Garner.
"I was wondering why they were not being supervised," Allen explained. "The coach brought them up here, he should have been watching those kids."
For Allen, this prank was costly. The estimate to repair his car is more than $2,200.
"I would like the damage to my car to be paid for," Allen said.
Lee said she feels the same way, as the estimate to repair her car is $1,100. Both reached out to the school but said that didn't help.
"I feel like the school isn't taking this seriously," Allen shared.
I reached out to Duplin County School District and a representative provided this statement:
"Duplin County Schools takes all student matters seriously. The alleged behavior is not typical nor acceptable of students in Duplin County Schools. The school system is not responsible for damage caused by the intentional acts of students."
She added they did turn this over to the school's insurance company, and they are investigating and will notify all parties of the outcome.
Both Lee and Allen say they just wanted the repairs to their vehicles paid for.
"Why were they allowed to terrorize our parking lot?" Lee asked.
A rep with Johnston County Sheriff's Office said when the deputy was investigating, the 13 year old did admit to jumping on the cars. The deputy said the juvenile's parents agreed to pay for the damages, but when that didn't happen the teen was charged. The deputy told ABC11 this case will now be handled in the court system.
Friday afternoon, Allen received a call from a rep from Duplin County Schools' insurance company. He said that rep told him they were going to expedite this case, and his and Lee's damages would be taken care of. I have not heard that officially from Duplin County Schools, I will update you if that happens.
