DAWSON, Ga. (WALB) — One person was hospitalized Friday, Sept. 25, after their car was swallowed by a massive roadway collapse on a Dawson residential street.

The incident comes days after frustrated neighbors called on city leaders to fix crumbling roads and water leaks.

>> Previous Coverage ‘Where’s the money going?’: Dawson residents question rising fees as potholes persist <<

The collapse occurred on Walnut Street, where the ground gave way into a water-filled trench in the middle of the roadway, trapping the car and its driver.

First responders, including the Dawson Fire Department, Terrell County sheriff’s deputies, and emergency medical personnel, responded to the scene alongside the mayor. Crews had to pull the driver out through the passenger side because the driver’s side of the vehicle sank directly into the collapsed ground.

Neighbors said the driver has physical disabilities and uses a walker. Paramedics placed him on a stretcher and transported him to a local hospital; his condition has not been released.

A tow truck later arrived to pull the trapped sedan out of the water-logged crater.

The collapse happened just days after Dawson residents reached out to WALB News 10 to voice anger over unpaved roads, recurring potholes, and persistent water line leaks that they say the city has ignored.

“People love coming to our city, but they hate these streets. That’s all they talk about is how raggedy these streets is,” one resident previously told WALB. “They’re increasing our bills, and you don’t see where the money is going. The roads is not repaired... Somebody need to do something about it.”

City leaders had scheduled a public budget hearing for Thursday, Sept. 24, at 5:30 p.m., where residents planned to press officials about street repairs and city spending. However, that meeting was canceled at the last minute.

In an official public notice, City Manager Roxie Powell stated the budget hearing was postponed because Terrell County has not completed its countywide property reassessments.

“Because the reassessment has not been finalized, the City does not yet have the updated property valuation information needed to accurately establish its property tax revenue projections for the proposed budget,” Powell wrote.

City officials said the hearing will be rescheduled once the county finalizes the tax digest. In the meantime, Walnut Street residents say the street remains a hazard and are demanding immediate repairs before another driver is hurt.

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