In this Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014 photo, a driver navigates past several potholes in Bloomington, Minn. The relentless cycle of snow and bitter cold this winter is testing the skeletons of steel and cement on which communities are built. Pipes are bursting in towns that are not used to such things, and roads are turning into moonscapes of gaping potholes big enough to snap axles of passing vehicles. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

SAULT STE. MARIE — Costly vehicle damage caused by potholes remains a frustration for many Michigan drivers, but one Sault Ste. Marie resident recently received compensation through a statewide contest.

Malcom Cohoon was named one of five winners for the month of April during the second-annual “Pothole Payback” contest as part of the Fix MI State campaign organized by the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association (MITA).

MITA said the “Pothole Payback” contest was launched to raise awareness of Michigan’s road conditions and encourage action from state leaders.

Other winners in April were Courtney Klaus of Kalamazoo, Angel Stewart of Flint, Sherry Crosby of Garden City and Jeff Push of Riverview.

The contest offers Michigan residents a chance to receive compensation for vehicle repairs caused by the state’s deteriorating roads, according to MITA.

After detailing the damage his vehicle sustained in a pothole-related incident, Cohoon was awarded $800 through the contest to help cover repair costs.

“There were multiple potholes in the same stretch of Bingham Avenue,” Cohoon said. “As I was driving and trying to avoid all the potholes that looked the worst, I hit one that had a puddle in it and wasn’t aware of how deep it was. My strut snapped and started knocking, and when I’d stopped and looked it was cleanly separated.”

Cohoon’s car sustained the damage in April 2025, and he entered the contest this April after learning about the opportunity.

While the prize money will help offset repair costs, Cohoon said his vehicle still has lingering suspension damage beyond the initial repairs he paid for out of pocket.

Michigan residents can submit stories and photos of pothole-related vehicle damage through June for a chance to win money toward repairs.

Each month, up to five winners will be selected based on the severity of the damage, with each receiving up to $800. Organizers say that amount reflects the average cost of vehicle repairs caused by poor road conditions, according to recent studies examining the financial toll of Michigan’s deteriorating roads.

“While historic progress was made in 2025 on road funding, Michigan still has a long way to go before residents can stop worrying about crumbling roads, and our leaders must stay committed to finishing the job,” said Rob Coppersmith, executive vice president of MITA. “Michigan faces a decades-old problem that isn’t going to be fixed overnight. Our roads are crumbling, and Michiganders deserve real, lasting solutions. While the state still faces an enormous funding gap, we’re continuing to shine a light on this ongoing crisis while helping families with car repairs.”

To submit an entry or learn more about contest rules and guidelines, visit Fix MI State’s website at www.fixmistate.org/potholepayback.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.