Overturned hog truck closes on-ramp
Published 10:45 am Friday, August 9, 2019
UPDATED 4:45 p.m.: Hazardous material cleanup continues in the affected area, according to city spokeswoman Diana Klink. The on-ramp is expected to reopen about 5:30 p.m.
Earlier: An overturned truck hauling live hogs has closed the eastbound on-ramp to Route 58 from Godwin Boulevard.
The accident happened at 7:26 a.m., according to a city press release. About 184 hogs were on board, and three got loose after the accident and were corralled at the scene.
Suffolk Fire & Rescue crews have been cooling the animals with hoses while operations continue, the press release stated. Smithfield Foods brought in an emergency response team to assist in offloading the hogs onto another truck.
The driver was not injured. It is unknown at this time how many of the hogs are deceased or injured.
Suffolk Animal Control is also on scene, as well as crews from Suffolk Public Works. This portion of the roadway is expected to remain closed for several hours as the operations continue, the 18-wheeler is up-righted, and the roadway is washed down.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.