Sinkhole Opens Up After Man Crashes Into Fire Hydrant; Residents Without Water
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP (WWJ) -- Hundreds of people are without water in Van Buren Township after a driver apparently fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a fire hydrant Monday afternoon.
Lt. Mark Buckberry said that the man was able to get out of his car, but the accident dislodged the fire hydrant and damaged a water main on Borgman Street at the North I-94 service drive, creating a giant sinkhole.
"He was able to just get out, because at the time all he had done was run over the fire hydrant," Buckberry said. "It took a little bit for that earth to wash away."
The ensuing flood resulted in a sinkhole that submerged the man's car.
"Our DPW department is limited on the personnel and the equipment that they have," Buckberry said. "I know that they have to call in a private contractor so they're shooting to hopefully have the water restored by sometime tonight (Monday)."
It is not clear if the man will face charges.