Owner of car swallowed by sinkhole during water main break demands another vehicle from city of NOLA
By Shay O’Connor
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NEW ORLEANS (WDSU) — A woman is trying to bounce back after she said her car was totaled when it fell into a sinkhole after a 48 inch watermain break in Uptown.
The impacts caused nearly an entire street to flood, and also led to a boil water advisory to go into effect.
That’s all been resolved, but now the driver said she is trying to get back on track.
Jade Hart said she was on a cruise when she found out her car had fallen into a sinkhole.
The mother of two is now scrambling to get help.
“We were covered past the engine. The inside of the cabin of the car is wet so, the car is totaled,” Hart said.
Hart said she is at a standstill without her car since she used it to get to work and to get her kids to and from school.
Over the weekend, she was brought to tears when she saw videos of her car inside a sinkhole along Panola Street.
“It was an unimaginable feeling, knowing I did not have a car to come back home to. I do not have a car to take care of my family. I don’t have a car to take care of my responsibilities,” Hart said.
Her mother shares that sentiment.
“I feel as though they could even provide her with a rental car since it was not her fault,” said her mother, Jaqueline Hart.
Hart is now in limbo with her insurance company and the city, which asked that she get at least three repair estimates or pay for damages out of pocket for possible reimbursement.
“Pay for estimates. Three different estimates, if not that, I would have to provide a paid invoice, which means I fix a car with my own money,” Hart said.
WDSU put Hart in contact with the head of Public Works, Steve Nelson, who said he will assist with getting to the bottom of the situation.
The mother is hoping for a resolution soon for her family.
“I just want what’s owed to me, what was taken from me. It’s the city of New Orleans fault. It was not my fault. I want what is owed to me, which is another vehicle, so I can take care of my family,” Hart said.
WDSU also reached out directly to the Sewerage and Waterboard of New Orleans. They said they are in the process of reviewing Hart’s claim.
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