Man Suing City After Sinkhole Swallows Vehicle

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A man hurt when a sinkhole swallowed his vehicle during a heavy downpour in April is suing the city for allegedly not properly maintaining the roadway.

Mirko Krivokuca filed the suit Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court.

The sinkhole swallowed his vehicle and two others in the 9600 block of South Houston Avenue about 5:20 a.m. April 18, police said at the time.

Krivokuca claims he was driving when his front tire hit a small pothole and the back of his car kept falling, the suit claims. His entire vehicle fell into the hole, and he was seriously hurt.

The incident happened during a torrential rainstorm that flooded roads and homes across the region, and prompted Gov. Pat Quinn to declare a state of emergency.

The suit blames the city for not keeping the street repaired and safe for residents. It claims negligence and seeks at least $100,000 in damages, plus the costs of the suit.

City officials have not yet seen the lawsuit and could not comment on it, city Law Department spokesman Roderick Crew said Tuesday night.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)