Date of Accident: 11/21/2016
In the 1200 block of Bitters Road. West bound lanes. The left lane of westbound lane. Preparing to take a left onto Old Bitters Road.
My dad - Greg Schipper - and I - David Schipper - went to Altex Electronics to pickup a computer. We left at about 5pm and took Bitters Road at 281 intersection. We traveled West towards Blanco Rd. Both westbound lanes had had been very recently, that day, deep-ground (road graded) to remove the smooth surface There are still deep grooves today, almost a month later.
As we approached our left turn onto Old Blanco Rd, we saw a trench dug across both right lanes. He applied the brakes and managed to come to the trench going about 5 MPH.
THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRESENT.
When we hit the trench, the whole front end of my 2013 Prius scraped bottom with a very loud sound.
I mentioned to David we were fortunate to slow down.
I pulled onto Old Blanco Road at looked under the front. I didn't see any damage, (it was black under there) so I continued on towards home. On the left were parked 6 Heavy road grader vehicles.
I arrived home 3 minutes later, I told my wife Carol about the severe road hazard.
At about 6pm, I drove Carol to the scene so she could avoid it.
MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, THE WHOLE ROAD CREW (Clark Construction) HAD BEEN CALLED BACK TO FIX THE MASSIVE TRENCH.
WHO KNOWS HOW MANY OF MY NORTHSIDE NEIGHBORS SUFFERED THE SAME FATE OR WORSE.
I drive my car seldom, but the following Saturday night, parts were coming off my car front coming home. I took it to get an estimate of repairs needed. Please see attached. Total Estimate: $885.81
I filed a claim to The City of San Antonio, Office of Risk Management. After a few weeks I was called by Paul Tovar from that office, and he explained that the fault lay with Clark Construction, who had torn up Bitters road during that time. I filed the same claim with Clark Construction; Elise Garfield; and AJ Clark of Clark Construction LLC. They have NEVER acknowledged responsibility, nor offered to settle this claim.