CJ-2026-1199 - Tri-State Trailer Rentals, LLC v. Fast Lane Logistics, LLC

What's This Case About?

Let’s be honest: nobody tunes into a civil court drama expecting high stakes. But when a trailer rental company sues a logistics firm for $20,746 over three trailers — and drags the CEO’s personal wallet into it — you know you’re not just dealing with overdue payments. You’re dealing with drama. And not the kind that happens on the highway. This is the slow-burn, paperwork-heavy, “I-swear-I-signed-that-guarantee-in-good-faith” kind of chaos. Buckle up, because this is the saga of Tri-State Trailer Rentals, a man named Austin Frederick who thought he could rent trailers and ghost the bill, and the cold, unblinking eye of contract law.

So who are these people? On one side, we’ve got Tri-State Trailer Rentals, LLC — a small Oklahoma-based business that does exactly what it sounds like: rents out trailers. Not flashy. Not glamorous. Just the kind of blue-collar operation that keeps trucks rolling and contractors moving. They’re based in Tulsa County, where they presumably spend their days checking tire pressure and chasing down late payments. On the other side? Fast Lane Logistics, LLC — a company with a name that sounds like it should be delivering emergency supplies during a hurricane, not dodging invoices. And then there’s Austin Frederick, listed as an individual who lives in Scotland, Arkansas — yes, that’s a real place (population: tiny), and no, he is not Scottish. He’s just a guy who signed his name to a contract and, according to the filing, may now regret every life choice that led him to that moment.

The story begins, as many business disasters do, with paperwork. On July 24, 2024, Fast Lane Logistics filled out a Customer Account Credit Application — basically, the “I promise I’ll pay you” form you have to sign before a rental company trusts you with expensive equipment. And in that form, Austin Frederick didn’t just sign as the company rep. Oh no. He personally guaranteed the debt. That means if Fast Lane couldn’t or wouldn’t pay, he would be on the hook. It’s the financial equivalent of saying, “My word, my honor, my house, my trailer debt.” Bold move.

Then came the trailers. Three of them. One on August 1, 2024. Another on January 3, 2025. And a third on March 7, 2025. Each with its own rental agreement, each with a VIN number so specific it feels like evidence in a heist movie. VIN IUYFS2539R5047712? Check. IUYFS2538R5047619? Rented. IUYFS2536R5047814? Also rented. We don’t know what Fast Lane was hauling — maybe HVAC units, maybe industrial laundry machines, maybe a very ambitious mobile barbecue empire — but we do know they didn’t pay for the privilege of using someone else’s trailers.

By December 16, 2025, the tab had ballooned to $20,746.38. That’s $18,446.61 in unpaid rent, plus nearly $2,300 in interest. And here’s the kicker: interest is still ticking up at $9.09 per day. That’s like being charged for a fancy coffee every morning just for continuing to owe money. And Tri-State? They’re not just annoyed. They’re lawyered up. Represented by Barrow & Grimm, P.C. — a firm with a name that sounds like a Wild West duo — they filed this petition on March 13, 2026, demanding justice in the form of cold, hard cash.

Now, why are they in court? Let’s break it down like we’re explaining it to a jury of people who only watch courtroom shows for the dramatic music. First claim: Breach of Contract. That’s legalese for “you signed a deal, you didn’t hold up your end.” Fast Lane agreed to rent the trailers and pay for them. They didn’t. Boom. Breach. Second claim: Breach of Guaranty. This one’s juicier. Austin Frederick didn’t just let his company sign. He personally promised to cover the debt if things went south. Now Tri-State is saying, “South has arrived. Pay up, Austin.” Third claim: Unjust Enrichment — which sounds like a philosophy class term but really just means “you got something valuable and didn’t pay for it, so that’s not fair.” Fast Lane used the trailers, got whatever benefit they were supposed to get (profit, deliveries, street cred, who knows), and now Tri-State wants to make sure they don’t walk away scot-free.

And what do they want? $20,746.38. Is that a lot? In the grand scheme of civil lawsuits, it’s not exactly Scandal-level money. But for a small trailer rental company, that’s real cash. That’s payroll for a few employees. That’s new tires for half a fleet. That’s the difference between staying afloat and having to sell the office keurig. And let’s not forget: they’re also asking for attorney’s fees, court costs, and ongoing interest. This isn’t just about the debt. It’s about the principle. And possibly about making sure no other logistics company in Tulsa thinks they can just roll out with a trailer and roll the dice on payment.

Here’s our take: the most absurd part isn’t the amount. It’s not even the fact that someone named Austin Frederick lives in a town called Scotland. It’s the sheer banality of the betrayal. This isn’t a Ponzi scheme. It’s not embezzlement. It’s not even a dramatic heist where someone paints the trailers a different color and starts a new life in Belize. No. This is just… not paying the bill. Like leaving a restaurant without settling the check, but with semi-trailers. And the fact that they had to file a lawsuit over it? That they needed three separate legal claims to say, “Hey, you owe us money,” is both hilarious and depressing. It’s the legal equivalent of sending a reminder email, then a “final notice,” then hiring a private investigator.

We’re not rooting for blood. We’re not hoping Austin Frederick has to sell his car or sleep in one of the trailers he failed to return. But we are rooting for accountability. For the little guy — or in this case, the little trailer rental guy — to get what’s owed. Because if businesses can’t trust contracts, what’s next? Are we going to need security deposits for shopping carts? Background checks for U-Haul rentals?

This case is a reminder that the economy runs on trust — and on people actually reading the fine print before they sign their name. And if you’re going to guarantee a debt, maybe don’t do it from a town named after a country you’ve never visited. Just a thought.

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re off to check if our Netflix subscription is up to date. You know. Just in case.

Case Overview

Petition

Jurisdiction

District Court, Oklahoma

Filing Attorney

John C. Gotwals

BARROW & GRIMM, P.C.

Relief Sought

$20,746 Monetary

Plaintiffs

Tri-State Trailer Rentals, LLC business
Rep: BARROW & GRIMM, P.C.

Defendants

Fast Lane Logistics, LLC business
Austin Frederick individual

Claims

#	Cause of Action	Description
1	Breach of Contract	Plaintiff seeks judgment against Defendant Fast Lane Logistics, LLC for breach of contract in the amount of $20,746.38, plus prejudgment interest, costs, and attorneys' fees.
2	Breach of Guaranty	Plaintiff seeks judgment against Defendant Austin Frederick for breach of his guaranty under the Credit Agreement in the amount of $20,746.38, plus prejudgment interest, costs, and attorneys' fees.
3	Unjust Enrichment	Plaintiff seeks judgment against Defendant Fast Lane Logistics, LLC for unjust enrichment in the amount of $20,746.38, plus prejudgment interest, costs, and attorneys' fees.

Petition Text

999 words

IN THE DISTRICT COURT IN AND FOR TULSA COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA Tri-State Trailer Rentals, LLC v. Fast Lane Logistics, LLC; and Austin Frederick Plaintiff, Defendants. Case No. CJ-2026-01199 RICHARD HATHCOAT PETITION COMES NOW Plaintiff, Tri-State Trailer Rentals, LLC ("TSTR"), and for its causes of action against Defendants, Fast Lane Logistics, LLC ("Fast Lane") and Austin Frederick ("Frederick") (Fast Lane and Frederick, collectively, "Defendants") states as follows: Parties, Venue, and Jurisdiction 1. TSTR is an Oklahoma limited liability company doing business in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. 2. On information and belief, Fast Lane is an Oklahoma limited liability company doing business in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. 3. On information and belief, Frederick is an individual residing in Scotland, Arkansas, doing business in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. 4. The contract which forms the basis of this action was made and entered into in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. 5. Jurisdiction is properly vested in this Court pursuant to 12 O.S. § 2004(F). 6. Venue is proper in Tulsa County pursuant to 12 O.S. § 143. General Allegations 7. On July 24, 2024, Fast Lane executed a Customer Account Credit Application for Trailer Rentals (the “Credit Application”), by which it agreed to make all rental payments due and owing for its rental of trailers. 8. Frederick, as part of the Credit Application, agreed to personally guarantee all payment obligations incurred by Fast Lane thereunder. 9. On or about August 1, 2024, Fast Lane executed that certain Trailer Rental Agreement (the “First Contract”), by which it agreed to lease One (1) Trailer, VIN Number IUYFS2539R5047712. 10. On or about January 3, 2025, Fast Lane executed that certain Trailer Rental Agreement (the “Second Contract”), by which it agreed to lease One (1) Trailer, VIN Number IUYFS2538R5047619. 11. On or about March 7, 2025, Fast Lane executed that certain Trailer Rental Agreement (the “Third Contract”) (the First Contract, Second Contract, and Third Contract, collectively, the “Contract”), by which it agreed to lease One (1) Trailer, VIN Number IUYFS2536R5047814. 12. FCT has failed or otherwise refused to make the payments due and payable under the Contract and the Credit Application. First Cause of Action Breach of Contract – Fast Lane 13. TSTR re-alleges and incorporates paragraphs 1-13 above. 14. Fast Lane breached the Contracts and the Credit Agreement by failing to pay TSTR all sums due thereunder. 15. As of December 16, 2025, there was due and payable under the Contract an outstanding balance of Twenty Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Six Dollars and 38/100 ($20,746.38), comprised of Eighteen Thousand Four Hundred Forty-Six Dollars and 61/100 ($18,446.61) in principal and Two Thousand Two Hundred Ninety-Nine Dollars and 77/100 ($2,299.77) in interest, and which continues to accrue interest at the rate of Nine Dollars and 09/100 ($9.09) per diem from and after December 16, 2025. 16. TSRT is entitled to judgment against Fast Lane for breach of contract in the amount of Twenty Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Six Dollars and 38/100 ($20,746.38), plus prejudgment interest accruing at the rate of Nine Dollars and 09/100 ($9.09) per diem from and after December 16, 2025, and its costs and attorneys’ fees. Second Cause of Action Breach of Guaranty – Frederick 17. TSTR re-alleges and incorporates paragraphs 1-17 above. 18. Frederick breached the Credit Agreement by failing to pay TSRT all sums due to TSTR by Fast Lane thereunder. 19. As of December 16, 2025, there was due and payable under the Contract an outstanding balance of Twenty Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Six Dollars and 38/100 ($20,746.38), comprised of Eighteen Thousand Four Hundred Forty-Six Dollars and 61/100 ($18,446.61) in principal and Two Thousand Two Hundred Ninety-Nine Dollars and 77/100 ($2,299.77) in interest, and which continues to accrue interest at the rate of Nine Dollars and 09/100 ($9.09) per diem from and after December 16, 2025. 20. TSRT is entitled to judgment against Frederick for breach of his guaranty under the Credit Agreement in the amount of Twenty Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Six Dollars and 38/100 ($20,746.38), plus prejudgment interest accruing at the rate of Nine Dollars and 09/100 ($9.09) per diem from and after December 16, 2025, and its costs and attorneys’ fees. Third Cause of Action Unjust Enrichment – Fast Lane 21. TSTR re-alleges and incorporates paragraphs 1-21 above. 22. TSTR furnished valuable services to Fast Lane with the reasonable expectation of payment from Fast Lane. 23. Fast Lane benefitted from the services furnished to them by TSTR, and accepted the services knowing TSTR expected payment therefrom. 24. As a result, Fast Lane has been unjustly enriched under inequitable circumstances, causing TSTR to suffer damages as a direct result of said unjust enrichment. Therefore, TSTR is entitled to judgment against Fast Lane in the amount of Twenty Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Six Dollars and 38/100 ($20,746.38), plus prejudgment interest accruing at the rate of Nine Dollars and 09/100 ($9.09) per diem from and after December 16, 2025, and its costs and attorneys’ fees. Prayer WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Tri-State Trailer Rentals, LLC prays that the Court enter judgment in its favor and against Defendant Fast Lane Logistics, LLC, on its causes of action of breach of contract, or, in the alternative, on its unjust enrichment action, in the amount of Twenty Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Six Dollars and 38/100 ($20,746.38), plus prejudgment interest accruing at the rate of Nine Dollars and 09/100 ($9.09) per diem from and after December 16, 2025, and its costs and attorneys’ fees., and against Defendant Austin Frederick on its cause of action for breach of guaranty in the amount of Twenty Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Six Dollars and 38/100 ($20,746.38), plus prejudgment interest accruing at the rate of Nine Dollars and 09/100 ($9.09) per diem from and after December 16, 2025, and its costs and attorneys' fees.; and for any such additional relief as the Court deems just and equitable. Respectfully submitted, BARROW & GRIMM, P.C. By John C. Gotwals, OBA No. 33181 Rebecca Kamp, OBA No. 36168 110 W. Seventh Street, Suite 900 Tulsa, OK 74119-1044 (918) 584-1600 (918) 585-2444 (Fax) [email protected] [email protected] ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF VERIFICATION STATE OF OKLAHOMA ) COUNTY OF TULSA ) SS: Mary Beth Pasque, of lawful age, being first duly sworn, upon oath says: That she is an authorized representative of Tri-State Trailer Rentals, LLC, the Plaintiff above named; that she has read the foregoing Petition and knows the contents thereof and that the things stated therein are true to the best of her knowledge and belief. DATED this 13th day of March, 2026. [Signature] Mary Beth Pasque, Authorized Representative for Plaintiff Subscribed and sworn to before me this 13th day of March, 2026. My Commission Expires: Comm. No.