OMAHA, NEBRASKA — Commuters near Aksarben Village experienced a moment of pure terror on Tuesday afternoon when a major intersection suddenly collapsed, dragging two vehicles into a deep chasm. The dramatic scene, captured by nearby surveillance cameras, has left a busy part of the city in gridlock and raised urgent questions about the city’s aging infrastructure.

The Collapse at 67th and Pacific
At approximately 3:45 p.m. on February 24, 2026, vehicles were stopped at a red light at the intersection of 67th and Pacific Streets. Without warning, the asphalt buckled and vanished.

A silver pickup truck and a dark-colored SUV were positioned directly over the failing section. Witnesses described a “loud cracking sound” followed by the sight of the two vehicles tilting and then sliding nose-first into the opening.

Miraculous Escapes and Heroic Rescues
The driver of the pickup truck managed to scramble out of his window as the vehicle settled in the pit. Despite the shock, he and several bystanders immediately rushed toward the trapped SUV. Together, they formed a human chain to pull the driver of the SUV to safety just as the ground continued to crumble further.

Emergency responders confirmed that while both drivers were shaken, no serious injuries were reported.

The Cause: A Silent Erosion
Officials from the Omaha Public Works and the Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) have identified a major water main break as the culprit. It appears the leak had been slowly washing away the subsoil beneath the intersection for days, leaving a hollow “cavern” covered only by a thin layer of unsupported concrete and asphalt.

“The weight of the idling traffic was simply the final straw,” said a city engineer on site.

Traffic Impact and Repairs
Pacific Street remains closed between 66th and 69th Streets. Heavy-duty cranes were brought in overnight to lift the mangled vehicles out of the hole. City officials warn that because of the extensive damage to the water lines and the road foundation, repairs could take over a week, causing significant delays for students and staff at the nearby University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).