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Akron motorists line up for free gasoline

Lucky drivers get their fill while police handle traffic in surprise fuel giveaway

By Bill Lilley
Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Wednesday, Jun 25, 2008

Destiny Smith always has believed in miracles, even though she'd never experienced one.

The 18-year-old became a confirmed believer Tuesday afternoon when she looked at the gas gauge of her 2002 Intrigue and it read full.

And it didn't cost Smith a penny at Circle K on East Tallmadge Avenue in North Akron.

She was among 100 or so beneficiaries of a Surprise Gas Giveaway sponsored by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kia Motors and Circle K.

The 16 pumps at the Circle K were staffed by Cavs and Circle K personnel from 2:50 to 3:30 p.m. to pump $30 of gas in about 110 cars and trucks.

''It had been a long, long time since it read full,'' Smith said. ''So long that I didn't know if the thing really worked any more. But I'm thrilled that it's on full, even if it only lasts a little time.''

Smith wasn't the only member of her family and friends to take advantage of the unannounced giveaway.

She and her boyfriend, Delacey Walters, along with her brother, Donte Smith, and his girlfriend, Arana Sherman, were sitting around the Smith house on Storer Avenue at noon when they got the
word.

''Some lady said they were going to be giving away gas at the Circle K on Tallmadge Avenue,'' Donte Smith said. ''We couldn't get in our cars fast enough and get over there.''

The group secured premium spots in the front of the line supervised by Akron police officers.

''It was amazing,'' said Jayme Lacerenza, Great Lakes regional business manager of Circle K. ''We didn't get the word out until 1 p.m. and people already were lining up.''

Michael Williams, 45, was a direct beneficiary of the efficient lines of communication in Akron. He hustled over from his home in West Akron to get in line before it was cut off.

''Bad news travels fast in this town, and so does good news — thank goodness,'' said Williams, who filled up his Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck. ''I like free gas.''

Cavaliers officials first met with Akron police two weeks ago to organize the event. The traffic strategy was designed by Sgt. Augie Micozzi, one of five off-duty Akron officers hired to work the event.

Also present were eight security personnel from Quicken Loans Arena, along with Cavaliers mascot Moondog, three Cavaliers Girls and a member of the Cavaliers Scream Team.

''Our main goal was to keep the traffic flow going on Tallmadge Avenue,'' Micozzi said.

There was a line of cars about a quarter-mile long in the middle turn lane on eastbound Tallmadge Avenue. The line was just as long on the westbound side.

''It was organized chaos, but it worked very well,'' Akron Police Capt. Dan Zampelli said. ''We had cruisers at where we thought the line would end so that nobody would be caught waiting in line for two or three hours and then be told they weren't going to get free gas. That could have caused a big problem.''

Cavaliers Director of Community Relations Colleen Garrity said the number of vehicles — 110 — allowed to get free gas was chosen because that's how many vehicles were serviced in a similar giveaway last month at a Shell station in downtown Cleveland.

''The Akron police were just phenomenal. They were able to get people in and out faster than I've ever seen. It was an amazing event and we all thought it was tremendously successful. I think a lot of people got a great surprise — free gas.''

Cuyahoga Falls resident Ashley Haines, a senior at Kent State University, was heading home on Tallmadge Avenue when she got caught in the giveaway traffic. Her Ford Focus was the final vehicle to receive free gas.

''I was driving along and the police officer just told me to pull in,'' Haines said. ''I didn't know what was going on, but I was really glad that I pulled in. I'm a college student — I'll take $30 in free gas any time.''

Garrity said the Cavaliers plan to hold one more Surprise Gas Giveaway this summer.

Bill Lilley can be reached at 330-996-3811 or blilley@thebeaconjournal.com.

Destiny Smith always has believed in miracles, even though she'd never experienced one.

Get the full article here.


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