Help Me Hank: Help Me Hank! Motorist mix-up

Michael Murray is a good driver with a perfect record, and besides at home in Massachusetts, he's driven in several states.

Michael Murray, driver
"Arizona, Kentucky, Florida, Texas, [and] Oklahoma."

But South Dakota? No.

Michael Murray, driver
"I've never been there my entire life."

That's why this letter from the Massachusetts RMV was so baffling. It said Michael had serious traffic violations in South Dakota. And as a result, his MA driver's license would be revoked.

Michael Murray, driver
"It just said evading police, one was for habitual criminal."

Michael knew that was just wrong.

Michael Murray, driver
"I was shocked."

So, he called the RMV and said I'm a good guy driver and I've never been to South Dakota.

Michael Murray, driver
"I was trying to explain to her that I'm not this person."

The RMV told him to call South Dakota and get proof of his driving record there. What record?

Michael Murray, driver
"I was just so aggravated."

But then South Dakota told him they'd mixed him up with another Michael Murray with the same birth date.

Michael Murray, driver
"They were beautiful I had no problems with them."

They even sent him this letter proving he had no violations in South Dakota. He brought it to the RMV but again he hit a dead end.

Michael Murray, driver
"I ended up calling Channel 7."

So how did this Michael Murray get confused with the South Dakota Michael Murray?

We knew that one! Before a driver's license can be renewed, the RMV checks a national database of bad drivers.

This time that computer found a guy named Michael Murray in South Dakota with a rotten driving record, and since he has the same birthday as the Massachusetts Michael, the computer figured it was the same person. But, the computer got it wrong and Massachusetts Michael was sent a revocation notice.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, Investigative Reporter
"Hello this is Hank Phillippi Ryan."

We called the RMV and faxed them Michael's South Dakota proof. Next time he went to renew his license, no problem.

South Dakota Michael is still in trouble of course, but Michael Murray of Massachusetts was on the road again.

Michael Murray, driver
"That was great, awesome. I loved it."

(Copyright (c) 2007 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)