Valley City Semi Rollover Spills Millions of Bees
Valley City (trfnews.i234.me) — A Florida man was injured Thursday after a semi hauling hundreds of beehives rolled on Interstate 94 near Valley City.
The crash happened at 3:57 p.m. on May 28 at mile marker 292. The location is near the westbound on-ramp at Exit 292.
According to the North Dakota State Patrol, a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado was merging onto the westbound I-94. Another vehicle was merging ahead of the pickup at the same time.
A 2015 Kenworth semi was also westbound in the lane where traffic enters the interstate. The semi was hauling about 600 to 800 beehives.
Improper Lane Change Reported
Investigators said the Silverado entered the right lane. The driver then tried to move left to pass the vehicle ahead.
The Kenworth semi was directly beside the pickup during that lane change. Authorities said the 15-year-old Valley City driver did not see the semi.
The semi driver swerved left to avoid a crash. The driver-side tires entered the median. The driver then tried to steer back onto the roadway.
The semi rolled onto its passenger side. The pickup and semi did not make contact.
Driver Attacked By Bees
The semi came to rest on the westbound shoulder. It also blocked lane two of I-94.
The trailer’s load broke apart during the rollover. Officials estimated more than two million bees were inside the hives.
The 55-year-old driver from Hialeah, Florida, got out of the semi on his own. He was then attacked by hundreds of bees.
Authorities said he ran to the nearby Sheyenne River to remove the bees. Barnes County Ambulance took him to a Fargo hospital.
He was treated for hundreds of bee stings. The 15-year-old pickup driver was not hurt. His name was not released.
Cleanup Took Several Hours
Several local beekeepers responded to help at the scene. Jim’s Towing removed the semi and trailer.
Site Works Unlimited helped remove destroyed hives. Crews used skid steers and side dump vehicles.
Valley City Public Works opened the landfill after hours. The destroyed hives were taken there for disposal.
A lane closure stayed in place for about eight hours. Road and travel updates are available through the ND Roads travel map.
The North Dakota State Patrol continues to investigate the crash. More information may be posted by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
