Mercedes, TX (KRGV) — The Hidalgo County Precinct 1 Commissioner's Office sent a crew to repair a homeowner's collapsed driveway after Channel 5 News’ 5 On Your Side contacted the office Thursday morning.

Repairs are underway at Abel Montes' home after his driveway collapsed three weeks ago.

“I’m lucky to be alive, not buried,” Montes said.

Montes says the ground beneath his truck gave way. 

“I had gone out to Walmart to get me some milk, and on my way back, I was driving across my driveway like always, and then it just went down, and collapsed,” Montes said.

Since then, Montes says he contacted the city and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 for a solution.

“I didn't approach the county because they had already said it was the city’s responsibility,” Montes said. “So, I went and told the city and they sent a crew, but when it finally caved in, they said, ‘We're not responsible because it's on your property.'”

Montes was willing to handle the repairs himself, but he says the city would not let him cover the hole. He reached out to 5 On Your Side after he kept running into dead ends.

Channel 5 News reached out to the Mercedes mayor, interim city manager, and public works director but did not receive a response from any of them. The city later told Channel 5 News it would give a statement at a later date.

The city said in part that easement records were not found for the area, but Montes can submit a claim for damages, and the city will investigate.

Mercedes Project Manager Rolando Lozano said the situation is complicated. 

“The drainage ditch actually belongs to the city. The property and the sinkhole happened on private property on top of that,” Lozano said. “So that's why it was really hard for him to get the city to come out here and work on it, because it is on private property.”

Lozano says the drainage district is helping with the pipe repairs, and workers will fill the hole back up once that is finished.

Montes says he’s relieved repairs are underway, but his truck still needs repairs.

“It fell on top of the concrete on the other side of the sinkhole, but it was unmovable,” Montes said. “So when the wrecker came and pulled it from behind, the front end dropped in, so it tore up the whole front end. I don't know how much damage it's done to the underneath, but all the electricals, the intercoolers, and the radiators — there are no fluids or air coming to cool it down, so right now as it is, it's not drivable.”

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