OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — A 12-inch water main break at 30th and Q streets caused significant disruption over the weekend, ultimately resulting in a fatal accident. On Friday morning, the rupture occurred beneath the roadway, prompting crews to set up barricades and begin repair work. By Saturday night, the open pit claimed one life after two vehicles fell into it.
According to the Metropolitan Utilities District (M.U.D.), the area was properly secured in accordance with city regulations, and an arrow board was in place to guide traffic toward the open lane. However, around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, a car driven by 44-year-old Francisco Hernandez Martinez veered into the excavation site, leading to his death. A second vehicle later crashed into the pit, though its driver survived.
Omaha Public Works and M.U.D. were first alerted to the water main break just before 11:00 a.m. on Friday. Crews arrived by noon, closing the westbound lanes and opening a pit to access the damaged main. Water service was shut off by 1:00 p.m., but the site remained open as repairs continued.
The fatal crash wasn’t discovered until the second vehicle fell into the pit. On Monday, M.U.D. workers were still on scene, though the utility declined to provide an interview despite multiple requests. In a statement, M.U.D. emphasized that the barricades met city standards and traffic was appropriately redirected.
Omaha City Councilman Ron Hug explained that the barricades were installed by a contractor working under a joint agreement with M.U.D. and the City of Omaha. “The placement of these barricades follows strict federal guidelines from the Department of Transportation, dictating exactly how and where they’re positioned around excavation sites like this,” Hug said.
Omaha police are continuing their investigation into the incidents but declined to comment further at this time. Jill Lamkins reported from the scene in South Omaha, detailing the tragic sequence of events at 30th and Q.
