It’s a Wipeout as Right Car Key Unlocks Wrong

The cars looked exactly alike, even down to the ignition keys. Call it a case of mistaken auto identity.

Ian Quinn, a 20-year-old University of Massachusetts student, reported his 1986 blue Chevrolet Nova stolen early Friday when it wasn’t where he parked it.

An officer noticed a 1986 blue Nova parked on the same street about 50 yards away. A registration check identified the owner, Tanya Hannon of Amherst.

Sure enough, Hannon had mistaken Quinn’s car for her own, said Detective Ron Young. She entered the unlocked door, started the ignition with her own key, and headed homeward.

“As is customary with a lot of Chevys, one key fits all,” Young said.

Melissa Garman, a spokeswoman for Chevrolet, said she had no immediate details on Nova ignition systems.

Hannon returned the car to Quinn downtown a short while later, accompanied by her boyfriend so she’d have a ride back home.

Unfortunately, Quinn’s Nova nightmare wasn’t over. As he drove away, a car making a U-turn hit him.

Who was in the other car?

Hannon and her boyfriend.

The boyfriend was cited for making an improper turn.

Quinn’s car was totaled. Not to mention his night.