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Drivers in Winston-Salem are expressing frustration after a large pothole damaged their cars over the weekend along Ebert Street near Silas Creek Parkway near a construction site. One concerned citizen, Lawrence Vines, says his sister was driving along Ebert Street on Sunday morning when she drove into the hole. It was so bad, it busted my sisters tire rims, he said. After seeing the damage, Vines decided to take matters into his own hands. He went to Ebert Street to see the hole and ended up helping others drive across it.I was slowing them down so they wouldnt tear their cars up, Ebert said. I had several people come by with doughnut tires, spare tires, saying that that hole got them.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking hereWXII 12 News contacted another driver, Brian Abundis, who says he hit the hole Saturday morning. He says he was driving his car, a BMW, along Ebert Street when he hit what he called a great big trench. Abundis isnt sure of the exact cost, but he estimates repairs will take several thousand dollars. Vines also estimated a four-digit price tag for the damage to his sisters car.What about the people that cant afford to repair their vehicles? Vines asked. WXII 12 News contacted the utility contractor that made the hole, PF Plumbing, a Winston-Salem-based company. A field manager for the company, James Idol, says a private developer hired the company and began work on a sewer tap installation on Thursday, Sept. 12. On Friday, he says the area was stoned and bedded before the day was over. He says its likely that bad weather caused the section of the road to settle, creating the hole. Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.Idol says as soon as the company became aware of the issue on Sunday, crews responded to make the area safe to drive on. As for the damaged vehicles, Idol says PF Plumbing is in contact with multiple drivers and will work to satisfy them.This has never happened before, Idol said on a phone call. And were definitely putting in some other policies to make sure it never happens again.Idol said he also wants to reach out to those impacted personally and apologize for any inconvenience the incident caused. Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscastsWXII also reached out to the City of Winston-Salem. In an email, a spokesperson wrote PF Plumbing did not follow the required city permitting process before work began. The required permitting process includes obtaining a street cut permit and road closure permit. It was only after the work had begun that the city became aware of the project and became involved.Idol did not have an answer when asked about the citys permitting process. On Thursday, WXII witnessed crews working on Ebert Street. Around 4:30 p.m., the section of the road was reopened, and traffic resumed traveling along the street as usual. NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love | Trending Stories