Car stuck in Gwinnett sinkhole vandalized

By Mashaun D. Simon

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Gwinnett County authorities were still working Monday to remove a car that plunged into a sinkhole  early Saturday.

Vandals caused more damage to the car Saturday night, according to WSB-TV.

Ira Young, the owner of the car that consumed by the sinkhole, told a reporter Sunday morning the vandals cut the seats and stole his radio, causing more damage to the vehicle.

The car was still in the hole at mid-morning on Monday.

Gwinnett police Cpl. David Schiralli said officials were concerned about the safety of crews that would have to climb into the hole, as well as the stability of the ground surrounding the hole at the intersection of Club Place and West Liddell Drive and whether the road could collapse further under the weight of a heavy crane.

Around 5:44 Saturday morning, Gwinnett police responded to the call, said police. Officers arrived to find a portion of the roadway missing.

“One occupied vehicle was noted within,” said Brian Kelly, spokesman for the Gwinnett County Police. “The driver, the lone occupant was uninjured.”

Schiralli said on Monday that the hole was "closed off before the vehicle drove into it. There were orange construction barrels surrounding it."

The intersection has been closed indefinitely.

“Given the matters early this week and the similar instances of damage caused, coupled with the overnight rain experienced in that area, the immediate presumption would be the incident is weather related,” said Kelly.