A Sinkhole Swallowed a Car on the Long Island Expressway. Here's What We Know.
Updated On: May 19, 2026
NewsCopter 7 captured this view of a car swallowed by a 10-foot sinkhole on the Long Island Expressway in Melville Thursday. No injuries were reported. (Credit: NewsCopter 7 / WABC)
A large sinkhole opened on the Long Island Expressway in Melville on Thursday, trapping a car inside a hole roughly 10 feet wide and 8 feet deep and forcing the closure of westbound lanes near exit 49N for several hours.
No injuries were reported. Repairs were completed Friday morning, and nearly all lanes have since reopened.
What Happened
The sinkhole appeared on the westbound LIE in Suffolk County near exit 49N in Melville. NewsCopter 7 was over the scene on Thursday and captured footage of a car that appeared to be stuck inside the hole, which measured approximately 10 feet in diameter and 8 feet deep.
Westbound lanes in the area were shut down while crews worked through the night to complete repairs. The Northern State Parkway was offered as an alternate route for drivers during the closure. By Friday morning, repair work was finished, and nearly all lanes were back open.
No one was injured in the incident, according to reports.
Why Sinkholes on Highways Are a Serious Safety Risk
A sinkhole appearing on one of the busiest highways on Long Island is not just a traffic story. At highway speeds, a driver encountering a sudden void in the road has almost no time to react. The car captured in Thursday's footage is a stark visual reminder of how quickly road conditions can become dangerous with zero warning.
Sinkholes on public roads typically result from deteriorating underground infrastructure, aging pipes, eroded soil, or compromised drainage systems beneath the road surface. When those systems fail, the ground above can collapse suddenly, leaving little to no visible warning on the surface before the road gives way.
When that happens on a highway, the consequences for drivers can be severe, and the question of liability becomes crucial.
What Drivers Caught in Road Hazard Incidents Should Know
If you were involved in an accident caused by a road hazard, a sinkhole, a pothole, debris, or a sudden lane closure, you may have grounds for a claim that goes beyond a typical collision. Government entities responsible for maintaining public roads can be held liable when dangerous conditions are known or should have been known and were not addressed in a timely manner.
These cases are not straightforward. Claims against government agencies involve specific filing deadlines and procedural requirements that differ from standard injury claims. Missing those windows can eliminate your ability to recover compensation entirely, regardless of how clear the negligence is.
If you were hurt or if your vehicle was significantly damaged, speaking with an attorney sooner rather than later is the right move.
If you were involved in an accident caused by a road hazard or dangerous road conditions anywhere, the independent attorneys we connect you with can help you understand your options and pursue the recovery you deserve.
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