Bees escape in truck accident

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP Photo)

ABINDGON -- Thousands of bees escaped after a tractor-trailer heading to the Gulf Coast was struck on Interstate 81.

Virginia State Police senior trooper Pat Lower said the rig driven by George Smiling of Manning, S.C., was struck from behind by another tractor-trailer driven by Tracy Hoffman of Glade Spring Wednesday evening near exit 14 of the interstate.

Lower said the accident ripped a basketball-sized hole in a tarp covering some of the bee hives, allowing thousands to escape. A local beekeeper was called to repair the hole in the tarp, keeping most of the bee cargo from escaping.

Smiling was stung four times before retreating to his truck. No one else was injured, but some bees died.

Hoffman was charged with reckless driving.

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