Preliminary investigation has determined that the crash occurred on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at approximately 6:10 p.m. as Adolfo Guerra-55 of Miami, Florida was operating a 2007 Freightliner Tractor Trailer traveling from DE896 northbound onramp to I95 northbound, hauling a flatbed trailer loaded with crates that contained live bees. As the tractor trailer negotiated the turn of the ramp, the load of wooden crates shifted, causing the tractor trailer to overturn on its left side on the ramp, striking the guardrail. After the impact, swarms of bees were released from the crated hives that saturated the area causing hazardous conditions.
Delaware State Police Headquarters Communications activated a preexisting “Honey Bee Swarm Removal Plan” which brought local bee keepers/handlers to the scene and additional resources. The bee experts worked in coordination with Troopers and Firefighters from the Aetna Hose Hook & Ladder Company of Newark to mitigate the bee hazard. Firefighters were able to disperse and incapacitate the swarms with water spray from hose lines advanced from fire engines.
Preliminary investigation determined that the truck was hauling approximately 460 bee hives totaling an estimated 16-20 million honey bees, which were being transported from Florida to Maine for pollination purposes.
Adolpho Guerra was properly restrained in the vehicle and was transported to the Christiana Hospital Trauma Center where he was treated for minor injuries for the crash and suffered 50-100 bee stings.
2 passengers in the tractor trailer, a 24 year old male from Miami, Florida and 25 year old male from Hialeah, Florida were transported to the Christiana Hospital Trauma Center with minor injuries. Both suffered and estimated 50-100 bee stings each. Treatment status and disposition are unknown at the time of this release.
Adolfo Guerra was cited for unsafe shifting load/cargo in connection with the crash.
The ramp from DE896 northbound to I95 northbound was closed to traffic for approximately 13 hours while the crash was investigated, bee experts removed the salvageable hives, and the crash was cleared.
You have to admire a department that has a “Honey Bee Swarm Removal Plan” in place. Talk about being prepared for any contingency. Kudos to the Delaware State Police.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a typical police "sting" operation if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteThe driver was "buzzed"
ReplyDelete