CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Water crews worked to contain a huge geyser after a SUV crashed into a fire sprinkler system Wednesday morning on North Tryon Street.
Officials told Eyewitness News reporter Gina Esposito that a car slipped on ice caused by an underground leak and slammed into a fire sprinkler system connected to a nearby shopping center.
[RELATED: Broken water main shoots geyser 25 feet in air, damaging homes, vehicle]
Bystanders said the geyser sent water shooting several feet in the air and created about 3-5 inches of slushy ice near the entrance of the Shoppes at Mallard Creek.
As crews worked to shut off the water, large chunks of floating ice could be seen rushing down the street.
Charlotte Water told Channel 9 that the water leak was coming from the CVS.
"We saw water running from there all time. We don't know if its coming from the trash or the fire hydrant right there," said driver Amber Byramn.
Driver Nathaniel Elliott saw the aftermath of the crash. Elliott said he picked up his medication from the CVS the other day and it was all water in the area.
"Wow, I didn't know it was like that, that like a moving river," Elliott said.
Channel 9 contacted the CVS corporate office and learned the property owners were aware of the leak for several months and did nothing about it.
[RELATED: Burke County road closed after black ice causes teen to crash into power pole]
Crews eventually cut off the water and tapped off the icy area near the entrance to avoid additional accidents.
Charlotte Water officials said that the property owners are responsible for repairing the broken fire sprinkler system and the underground leak.
City crews did lay down salt to prevent further accidents in the area.
Channel 9 learned the driver is expected to be OK, but their car had to be towed from the scene.
One of the property managers told Channel 9's Gina Esposito they sent plumbers to investigate the damage to determine who is responsible and to decide what repairs need to be made.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- FBI says body found during search for kidnapped Lumberton teen girl
- Fan club member struck, killed by SUV outside stadium during Panthers game
- Shanann Watts' family files wrongful death lawsuit against killer husband Chris Watts
- WATCH: Keith Monday's Wednesday forecast outlook
- Police: NC man shoots son on Thanksgiving after fight over kneeling NFL players
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
