Cobb County

County to pay damage after man hit open manhole, crashed into brick wall

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Cobb County is pledging to pay damage claims from an Austell man whose SUV hit an open manhole and crashed into a brick wall.

"When I hit it, it was like a big boom. I didn't know what was going on," Gary Brown told Channel 2 consumer investigator Jim Strickland.

A subdivision HOA demanded his liability insurance pay for the wall.

A wrecker yard wants Brown to pay more than $1,700 to store his totaled vehicle.

"They took X-rays and I have $10,000 worth of medical bills," Brown said.

A police report documents the crash, beginning with the uncovered manhole.

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The police say Cobb County Water admits "pressure from (the) sewage back-up" dislodged the manhole cover.

The back-up occurred on Dec. 17, 2018. Brown claims the county had been unresponsive to his case.

"No response. I got nothing," Brown said.

Strickland learned the county's risk management department did not have Brown's cellphone number.

After Strickland provided it, Brown received word that his claim would be paid.

"I'm glad I called Channel 2. Jim Strickland gets results," Brown said.