Sinkhole Opens Under Car, Closes North Tampa Road

A drive through the North Tampa area turned hair-rising for a motorist today when a possible sinkhole opened up under her 2010 Nissan Versa.

The “Versa was on top of the pavement as hole began opening,” wrote Hillsborough County Det. Larry McKinnon in an email to the media. “The driver accelerated off the road but suffered damage to her tires from the broken pavement.”

While the woman wasn’t injured, motorists might want to avoid the area. McKinnon said the westbound lanes of 138^th Avenue at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard are closed this afternoon, June 12, while the county’s road maintenance department can determine how best to proceed.

The hole is estimated to be about 6 feet across and 30 feet deep, McKinnon said.

It is unclear at this time what caused the hole to open.

Sinkholes have become a common sight in Hillsborough County as of late. The Brandon area has seen multiple depressions open in recent months, including one that swallowed a man who was sleeping in his bed.

Stay with New Tampa Patch for updates as they become available.