Traffic was backed up for hours after a big rig carrying frozen chicken crashed into a truck carrying bees, ejecting their cargo across, and above, the westbound 10 Freeway near Coachella early morning Monday, February 2nd. Traffic, including many vehicles returning from football extravaganzas in Glendale, were stuck on the freeway for hours.
The crash occurred when a big rig carrying more than 10 tons of chicken attempted to pass a truck carrying thousands of bees. The big rig clipped the truck, causing the driver of the big rig, identified as Eduardo Garcia, 45, of Phoenix to lose control of his vehicle and crash. The big rig then caught fire, roasting much of the cargo on the road. The truck carrying the bees was operable and pulled to the side of the freeway, but thousands of bees escaped during the crash. The big rig ultimately burnt to a husk.
The scene of the accident was surreal. Blackened hunks of chicken littered the road while bees hovered in the air. Drivers near the scene of the crash remained in their vehicles with the windows shut. A beekeeper was called to the scene and was able to recapture many of them. Vehicles were directed onto the center divider to bypass the crash.
Luckily, no serious injuries were reported in the crash. Garcia was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center for minor injuries to his face. The 10 Freeway reopened after cleanup Monday afternoon.
