Car Nearly Plunges Into Massive Cleveland Sinkhole

Surveillance video captures the dramatic moment a driver narrowly avoids falling into the expanding hole.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A large sinkhole opened up in an intersection in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, on Sunday, nearly swallowing a 72-year-old driver's car. Surveillance footage showed the sinkhole growing throughout the day as several vehicles, including a sheriff's deputy's car, passed through the area. The elderly driver was able to stop his car just before it fell into the hole, and a tow truck later removed the vehicle. Cleveland Water crews are now working to clear the sinkhole and assess the damage to utilities and infrastructure.

Why it matters

Sinkholes can pose a serious threat to public safety, especially in urban areas with heavy traffic. This incident highlights the importance of maintaining aging infrastructure and the need for quick response and repair efforts when such hazards emerge unexpectedly.

The details

The sinkhole appeared on Sunday morning in an intersection in downtown Cleveland. Surveillance video showed the hole expanding throughout the day, with steam coming from various sections of the road. Several vehicles, including buses and a sheriff's deputy's car, passed through the intersection before a 72-year-old man nearly drove his car into the sinkhole. The driver was able to stop his car just before it fell into the hole, and a tow truck removed the vehicle. Cleveland Water crews are now working to clear the sinkhole and assess the damage to utilities and infrastructure.

  • The sinkhole appeared on Sunday morning in downtown Cleveland.
  • Throughout the day, the sinkhole continued to expand, as shown in the surveillance footage.

The players

Cleveland Water

The city's water utility, which is responsible for clearing the sinkhole and assessing the damage to utilities and infrastructure.

72-year-old driver

The elderly man who narrowly avoided driving his car into the sinkhole.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Yeah, a little curious about how long there's going to be a giant hole there. I understand that's a little hard to manage.”

— Downtown worker (25newsnow.com)

What’s next

Cleveland Water crews are still working to clear the sinkhole and determine the extent of the damage. Once the hole is cleared, the city will be able to develop a timeline for repairs and how long the intersection will remain closed.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining aging infrastructure in urban areas. Sinkholes can pose a serious threat to public safety, and quick response and repair efforts are crucial to mitigate the risks and restore normal operations.