Even with a major lawsuit from the Tennessee attorney general hanging over its head, Priority Wrecker Service is still being accused by Nashville drivers of double-charging and forcing payment through cash apps, turning routine breakdowns into tense, last-minute billing standoffs. The companies in the hot seat - Priority Wrecker Service and its sister business Jonny’s Towing, both owned by Jonathan Maye - are called out in state court papers and in dozens of consumer complaints. Local truckers and private drivers told investigators they were quoted one price, only to be pressured to pay a much higher total once their vehicles were already hooked up.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti filed a nearly 400-page complaint in Davidson County Chancery Court that accuses the businesses of repeatedly violating the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act and asks the court for a permanent injunction, restitution, and fines, according to NewsChannel 5. Skrmetti has publicly labeled the operations “a scammy, scammy operation” in interviews tied to the investigation, a phrase that has stuck with frustrated drivers.
Consumer records echo those complaints. The Better Business Bureau's complaint page for Priority Wrecker Service lists dozens of disputes and an F rating, with reports of surprise add-on fees, long-running storage charges, and refusals to accept credit cards. Better Business Bureau files show grievances from across Middle Tennessee.
Drivers say the behavior did not stop after the lawsuit landed. One trucking company owner, David Pucek, told reporters that a tow originally quoted at roughly $1,200 suddenly jumped to $3,800 once his truck was already on the hook, and that the driver refused to accept a credit card and instead demanded payment through Zelle, Cash App, or in cash. Pucek says the incident happened in mid-January, and NewsChannel 5 documented similar stories from other customers.
Company listings do not match complaints
Priority Wrecker Service advertises multiple Middle Tennessee offices and lists a Nashville location at 213 Whitsett Rd, Unit D, on its website. The business site also shows service points in LaVergne and Franklin, yet customers and local licensing records say the company has been operating in Davidson County without the county tow permit that many competitors are required to hold. Priority Wrecker's site lists addresses and phone numbers.
How to report problems
If you believe you were overcharged or pressured by Priority Wrecker Service or Jonny’s Towing, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs is asking affected consumers to file a complaint by email at [email protected] or by calling 615-741-4737. The office provides a complaint form and collects details that can support restitution or enforcement actions; the AG's consumer contact page lays out the official filing instructions. Tennessee Attorney General - Division of Consumer Affairs
Legal snapshot
The AG's complaint accuses the towing businesses of bait-and-switch pricing, undisclosed fees, and threats to impound vehicles, all of which are alleged violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. If those claims are proven in court, the companies could face injunctions, consumer restitution, and civil penalties. The case is pending in Davidson County Chancery Court, and investigators say the state will continue to pursue remedies while consumers wait to see whether the court imposes any immediate limits on the companies' operations.
