Teen Girl Falls In Open Manhole While Texting

Alexa Longueira Suffers Deep Cuts, Bruises After Landing In Raw Sewage, Blames DEP For Leaving Hole Unattended

It was an accident waiting to happen — an open sewer and a 15-year-old girl who was texting while she walked.

Alexa Longueira, a high school sophomore, was walking along Victory Boulevard near Travis Avenue on Staten Island Wednesday evening when she felt the earth move and was plunged into smelly darkness.

She said the manhole she fell in to was left open and unattended with no warning signs or orange cones. She said two workers with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection failed to secure the area as they prepared to flush the sewer.

“It was just really gross and it was shocking and scary,” she said. “Because of their careless mistake I got hurt.”

Longueira has deep cuts and bruises and said she now has nightmares about falling, But she also did admit she was texting at the time.

“Regardless of whether I’m texting or not if there was a cone there I’m going to see a big orange cone,” she said. “I walk that sidewalk every day, I don’t expect a big hole there.”

Longueira said she was helped out of the five-foot deep sewer by an apologetic DEP worker.

She went to the hospital and the city opened an investigation, issuing the following statement:

“We regret that this happened and wish the young woman a speedy recovery.”

The Longueira family wants more than get well wishes. They may sue. Alexa’s mother, Kim, said: “It could have been an elderly person, a mother pushing a stroller. It could have been anyone.”

I love that, already, this girl is blaming people.  And her parents.  OF COURSE they’re going to sue.

Unlike next year’s car accident, where she’ll plow into some unsuspecting motorist while tapping “OMG” on her phone, there’s nobody to milk when you’re so preoccupied texting “Where u at” you miss the giant gaping crap hole in the ground.

I’m still laughing.  I’m glad she’s fine.  But Jesus, this is funny.

Her mother’s right.  It could have been anyone.  An elderly person, a mother with a stroller – both of whom probably would have had the foresight to look ahead as they walked.  Especially old people, who always look down when they walk.

And just how long was this girl texting?  An entire city block?  It’s 140 characters per text – get up for air, for God’s sake.  Even those water drinking birds pop up after they dunk down.  I can’t even sink the skeeball on my Iphone “Bowl Lite Skyworks” app, but this girl put a whole human body through a hole in the sidewalk.  That takes skill, or stupidity.  Because I’m still laughing, I’ll err on the side of skill.

100 points for putting it in the small hole.    And, of course. a waterfall of garbage and crap.

Please, dear God, let there be a street camera that caught this.