Garbage truck gets stuck in Florida sinkhole

No injuries reported in Hollywood incident

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A Waste Pro garbage truck got stuck in a sinkhole Friday morning in Hollywood, authorities said.

Hollywood police spokeswoman Miranda Grossman said the driver was driving on North 19th Avenue when the rear passenger-side became stuck in a sinkhole caused by a water main break.  

"As he's coming down -- we going to the gas station -- when we get right here, the truck started to pull backwards, so he's like, 'Oh snap,'" a Waste Pro employee said. "So what he did was he hit the gas a little bit more, because it was going to lean over to the right on the passenger side, which was on his side. So when he pulled the gas up a little, he put it in neutral and put the parking brake in to stop it."

No injuries were reported. 

People who live nearby told Local 10 News reporter Erica Rakow that they are without water because of the water main break. 

Because the city's Water Treatment Plant experienced a significant drop in pressure, the city is advising all Hollywood residents to boil their water before using it to drink, make ice, brush teeth, wash dishes or prepare food. 

"These things happen. What can you say? Let's hope it's not going to last too long," Hollywood resident Andree Dehart said. 

Grossman said 19th Avenue was shut down from Lincoln Street to Grant Street, and Johnson Street was closed from Federal Highway to 20th Avenue. 

Grossman said Johnson Street might reopen when the water main leak is stopped.

Department of Public Utilities crews are at the scene working to repair the water main.


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

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