A car crash into a fire hydrant along Galeana Drive, a service road running parallel to U.S. 41, and caused water to wash away part of the roadway.
According to the South Trail Fire Department, the crash happened along the road in front of Dixie Buick in south Fort Myers. The crash on S. Tamiami Trail near Harper Road.
The car hit the fire hydrant and water began spilling out, washing away the road.
The fire hydrant broke at the base and released about 100,000 gallons of water in less than two hours, according to the South Trail Fire Protection and Rescue Service District.
A road crew is expected to fix the hole in less than a week, the fire department said
Late Friday night an excavator pulled the Prius back onto the road.
“There was thousands and thousands of gallons of water,” said Amy Bollen, the South Trail Fire public information officer.
WINK News was told it was close to a total of about 100,000 gallons of water.
“That vehicle then continued to veer off and it hit a paper stand and then went straight into the fire hydrant,” said Bollen.
Even though the car was significantly damaged, the driver was able to escape injury.
“They are going to be very, very careful to not bump that green sewer line and then after that car is removed they’re going to repair the hydrant area they’re going to bring in a lot of fill dirt tonight and they’re going to make it a safe location,” Bollen said.
Lee County said that the road will likely be paved at some point next week.