Potential fuel mix-up creates concerns for North Kingstown gas station

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — One North Kingstown resident said she has to pay $1,100 to fix her car after a bad batch of fuel.

Cassie Ruggeiro ran into an issue after filling up her car at Opet Gas on Post Road in North Kingstown.

“Within 10 miles, my car started to act weird,” explained Ruggeiro.

Her car let her know there was something wrong, with the check engine light going off and other warning lights indicating a problem.

The dealer took a sample of Ruggeiro’s fuel and determined a 75% ethanol level.

“I didn’t think it was the gas,” Ruggeiro said. “Newer cars are more electronic. I thought it was some kind of glitch happening…I have a newer car and it shouldn’t be doing that.”

Ruggeiro said she believed at least two others may have been impacted.

Opet released a statement, apologizing by saying, “This is a rare occurrence, as it has not happened at Opet before, and we hope to resolve this as soon as possible.”

Ruggeiro said her car is back up and running, and the dealer emptied her gas tank and replenished the fuel with premium gas.

Ruggeiro said she has been in communication with Opet, and the owner is working with her to make things right.

The first step for Opet was filing an insurance claim to get Cassie her money back.

“It was not on purpose; I think it was an accident,” Ruggeiro concluded. “They are doing everything, so far they have been very nice to me to try to fix the problem and repay my expenses.”

The gas supplier, Providence Terminal has now started an investigation into the matter to see if this issue has occurred anywhere else.