Couple Narrowly Escapes Sinkhole Collapse in Houston

Rex and Barbara Gressett's routine grocery trip turned terrifying when their car plunged into a sudden sinkhole on Veterans Memorial Drive.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:12am

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a massive sinkhole opening up in the middle of a busy urban intersection, with a partially submerged car and surrounding buildings dwarfed by the overwhelming scale of the natural phenomenon.A sinkhole's sudden and dramatic appearance on a busy Houston street serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable forces of nature that can disrupt urban life.Houston Today

A couple in Houston, Texas had a harrowing experience when the road they were driving on suddenly collapsed, sending their car into a sinkhole. Rex and Barbara Gressett were returning home from the grocery store when the incident occurred at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Drive and Bammel North Houston Road. Their Nissan sedan was partially submerged in the sinkhole, but the couple was able to escape with minor injuries before emergency crews arrived on the scene.

Why it matters

Sinkholes are a relatively common occurrence in parts of Texas, but this incident highlights the dangers they can pose to unsuspecting drivers. The collapse of the roadway at a busy intersection raises concerns about the state of infrastructure and the need for proactive maintenance to prevent such incidents from happening.

The details

According to the Gressetts, the collapse happened suddenly with a 'big bang and like an explosion.' Their car's airbags deployed as the vehicle dropped into the opening. A man in a pickup truck helped pull the couple to safety before emergency responders arrived. The Gressetts were taken to the hospital as a precaution but were otherwise unharmed, aside from some minor bruises.

  • The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Rex Gressett

A Houston resident who has lived in the area for over 40 years and was driving the car that fell into the sinkhole.

Barbara Gressett

Rex Gressett's wife, who was a passenger in the car when it plunged into the sinkhole.

Harris County

The local government entity responsible for the roadway where the sinkhole opened up and is overseeing the repair efforts.

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What they’re saying

“All we heard was a big bang and like an explosion.”

— Rex Gressett

“The road just collapsed underneath us.”

— Barbara Gressett

“The shock of it coming down and blowing into my face and everything — it was bad.”

— Rex Gressett

What’s next

County officials have placed a temporary plate over the sinkhole as they investigate the cause of the underground failure and work to stabilize the roadway. Residents are being urged to avoid the area until the repairs are completed.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by sinkholes, which can open up without warning and cause serious damage. It highlights the need for proactive infrastructure maintenance and monitoring to prevent such incidents from occurring and putting the public at risk.