(August 16, 2010) MILWAUKEE — Lance Treankler, who lost his 2007 Cadillac Escalade to a sinkhole, is again behind the wheel of his favorite vehicle thanks to Metropolitan Cadillac and Cadillac’s Certified Pre-owned program.

Treankler’s  original Escalade was left inoperable last month after plunging 20 feet into a sinkhole in downtown Milwaukee. Treankler was able to climb out of the sinkhole with the help of an onlooker.  Fortunately, the insurance policy on the Escalade covered the accident.

Cadillac and its dealer network worked with Treankler to find an almost identical Escalade in the Milwaukee area and ensure that the Escalade was part of the Cadillac Certified Pre-owned program, providing him warranty coverage and other benefits. Metropolitan Cadillac in Milwaukee presented Treankler today with another black, all-wheel-drive 2007 Escalade.

Milwaukee sinkhole
survivor Lance Treankler

The incident is still hard to believe, said Treankler, a 25-year-old Milwaukee resident. He’s had some back pain from the fall but escaped serious harm.  While Treankler escaped from the sinkhole, his original Escalade kept running for 28 hours before being hauled out with a crane.

“It was a pretty surreal moment,” Treankler said. “Everything happened so quickly. I’m just happy to be out and alive.”

He’s also happy to have an Escalade again.  When he found out the original Escalade was totaled, he said he immediately wanted another one. 

Max Stephenson, owner of Metropolitan Cadillac, said his dealership was pleased to find an almost identical Escalade in its inventory. The sinkhole was a media sensation in Milwaukee.