No injuries reported after vehicle enters roadway collapse
By Diego Lopez
GRANTS, N.M. - A portion of Roosevelt Avenue in Grants was closed Saturday afternoon after a vehicle became caught in what officials described as a sinkhole, prompting a response from police, firefighters and other emergency personnel.
According to Grants Police Chief Maxine Monte, the roadway collapse occurred near Roosevelt Avenue and Fourth Street. The affected area extends from Roosevelt Avenue and Third Street to the entrance of Grants High School, and the road remains closed while crews assess the damage.
“No injuries reported at the time,” Monte told the Cibola Citizen.
She said the cause of the roadway collapse remains unknown.
“Unknown what caused it. I don’t want to speculate,” Monte said.
Residents who live within the closure area can still access their homes by using surrounding streets, she added.
Dispatch information identified the involved vehicle as a 2023 Dodge. At the scene, the vehicle appeared to be a white SUV that had become lodged in the collapsed section of roadway.
Emergency crews, including the Grants Police Department, Cibola County Sheriff’s Office and Grants Fire & Rescue, responded to the incident. Traffic was diverted away from the affected section of Roosevelt Avenue as firefighters and public safety personnel secured the area.
The incident occurred as an event was taking place at nearby Grants High School. Authorities were directing motorists away from the closure while emergency crews worked at the scene.
The extent of the roadway damage and how long the closure will remain in effect were not immediately known.
Residential water is impacted as crews attempt to issues associated with the sinkhole. Grants City Manager Andrew Valencia says residents should expect 8-12 hours of interruption.
The Cibola Citizen has reached out to the City of Grants for additional information regarding the cause of the collapse and any planned repairs. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.