A sinkhole opened on the Long Island Expressway on Thursday, May 14, 2026, nearly swallowing a car in Melville, New York [3].
The incident disrupted one of the region's primary transit arteries, creating a dangerous road hazard and causing extensive traffic congestion during the evening commute.
The collapse occurred in the exit lane for Exit 49N [2]. A driver operating a Honda became trapped as the ground gave way beneath the vehicle [1]. According to officials, the sinkhole measured 10 feet wide [2] and was about eight feet deep [2].
Emergency responders and local officials arrived at the scene to secure the area. The collapse forced the closure of two lanes of the expressway [4]. This closure resulted in westbound traffic backing up for several hours, with delays persisting into Friday morning [3].
Officials said the ground gave way to create the void, though they did not provide a specific geological cause for the collapse [1]. No injuries were reported following the incident, though the vehicle remained trapped in the hole as crews worked to stabilize the roadway.
Local authorities managed the traffic flow and coordinated repairs to the damaged section of the highway. The incident highlighted the sudden vulnerability of the road infrastructure in the Melville area, a stretch of road that handles high volumes of daily commuters.
“A sinkhole opened on the Long Island Expressway on Thursday, May 14, 2026, nearly swallowing a car in Melville, New York.”
The occurrence of a significant sinkhole on a major expressway suggests potential underlying infrastructure instability or drainage issues in the Melville area. Because these collapses can happen without warning, the event may prompt local transportation officials to conduct more rigorous geological surveys or pavement inspections to prevent future accidents on high-traffic routes.
