Sinkhole Swallows Truck on Detroit's West Side

Residents express concerns over infrastructure issues after water main break causes road collapse.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A massive sinkhole opened up on Detroit's west side, swallowing a truck that had attempted to drive through the flooded intersection. The incident was caused by a water main break that led to the road collapsing. While the sinkhole has been temporarily filled, nearby residents are worried about the potential for more infrastructure failures in the area.

Why it matters

Sinkholes and infrastructure failures can pose serious safety risks to drivers and residents. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the aging water and sewer systems in many older cities like Detroit, where maintenance and upgrades are often underfunded.

The details

The sinkhole opened up at the intersection of Orangelawn Avenue and Chatham Street after a water main break caused the road to collapse. A truck that tried to drive through the flooded area ended up getting stuck in the sinkhole. No one was injured, and the truck was safely towed out. The city's water department says the water main break was fixed on Thursday morning, but nearby residents worry that more sinkholes could develop in the area.

  • The sinkhole opened up on the evening of Wednesday, February 26, 2026.
  • The water main break that caused the sinkhole was fixed on Thursday morning, February 27, 2026.

The players

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department

The city agency responsible for maintaining Detroit's water and sewer infrastructure.

Toni

A nearby resident who witnessed the sinkhole incident.

Nateasha

A nearby resident who expressed concerns about the potential for more sinkholes in the area.

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What they’re saying

“We were actually pulling up from grabbing dinner last night, and the car was teeter-tottered.”

— Toni, Nearby Resident (CBS News Detroit)

“For sinkholes to be happening around here, they need to do something about this. The city needs to do something better.”

— Nateasha, Nearby Resident (CBS News Detroit)

What’s next

The city says the $19 million stormwater improvement project in the neighborhood is expected to wrap up at the end of the summer, which may help address some of the infrastructure issues that led to the sinkhole.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges many older cities face in maintaining and upgrading their aging water and sewer systems. Residents are rightfully concerned about the potential for more infrastructure failures and the safety risks they pose, underscoring the need for greater investment in urban infrastructure projects.