The city repaired the pothole the next day, but the repairs cost her a month’s rent.
Sage Solana, a college student in Richmond, Virginia, was driving home from a full day on campus. She expected to face traffic, but she never thought she’d lose all four tires at once. However, that’s exactly what happened to her when her car hit a pothole she couldn’t avoid.
“My car physically lowered itself; it’s a low car. It actually made me scream because it was so loud and sudden,” she told WWBT. “I felt my car suddenly veer to the right when I lost both of my tires.”
She told the outlet she filed a complaint about the pothole through the city’s official app – along with several other drivers – though the city neglected to repair it. They did, however, manage to repair it the day after her car was severely damaged.
Solana spent $700 to replace all four tires on her Honda Civic, but her wheels will be permanently damaged. The student says the unexpected cost was devastating.
“One month’s rent essentially just gone in seconds; that’s really hard on me,” she said. “I’m just a college student. I barely have a part-time job right now.”
It doesn’t look like the city will pay for the pothole’s damage
The city of Richmond will only pay for pothole repairs if the first complaint was filed at least 14 days before the damage was sustained to her Honda. She’s anxious that the strict clause will prevent her from being reimbursed.
“It’s just’s preposterous,” she said.
Viewers of the outlet’s Facebook post about the story think the city should be responsible, with many saying the pothole was filled with “oreo crumbs.”
“That hole was a result of them working on the water line about a week ago,” wrote a viewer. “They did a horrible patch job that spread to that. They should be held liable.”
Another driver said misplaced traffic cones led to extensive damage to their Toyota.
“My 2008 Yaris got crippled when construction cones led me straight into a hole. The construction company had to reimburse me for a bent wheel. Then my 2020 Corolla took a big hit with an 8-inch pothole.”
Another viewer said there’s hope for Solana.
“VDOT will reimburse you! Take a picture of the pothole and where it is, and send your receipt to them. I’ve done it!”
