“I had a delivery and we had to get it done and I cut in front of this one guy and he got out and started cussing at me,” McFarland said.
Manager Rick McCollum said customers get tokens for free car washes for vehicles purchased through the dealership. On a busy day, it can take up to 10 minutes to get through the line, he said.
A sign at the front of the car wash warns “dealership vehicles have priority over free car washes” and that employees can cut in line. McFarland said he explained the rule to Shafer. However, police have accused Shafer of reaching into the car through an open window, grabbing McFarland by his coat and punching him three times in the face.
McFarland went to Springfield Regional Medical Center to be treated for a swollen lip and bruised cheek. Meanwhile, police said a customer was able to get Shafer’s license plate and officers tracked him down at his home on Columbia Street.
According to court documents, Shafer allegedly had blood on his knuckles and admitted to striking McFarland. A pre-sentencing investigation has been scheduled for Dec. 10. Shafer is out of jail on his own recognizance.
Both McCollum and McFarland said they don’t recall an employee ever being assaulted due to the car wash policy before.
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