Pigs run loose along Interstate 80 after truck overturns, snarling traffic
By Jonathan Ayestas
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PLACER COUNTY, California (KCRA) — Westbound Interstate 80 lanes in Placer County are shut down after a big rig carrying pigs overturned, resulting in some of the swine running loose before being corralled.
Traffic going westbound is being taken off I-80 at Secret Town Road to allow for traffic to start flowing again. As of 6 a.m., KCRA 3’s Melanie Wingo observed that there were still pigs inside the trailer.
Crews are working to get those pigs out of the trailer, a California Highway Patrol officer said crews will have to cut into the trailer to release more pigs out of the trailer. Originally, the intention was to upright the trailer, but crews determined it was too heavy to do so with all of the pigs still inside.
Shortly after 7 a.m., a handful of pigs were seen being let out of the trailer, but it is unknown how many are inside in total. Around 8 a.m., crews could be seen trying to load the pigs onto a trailer that had arrived to haul the animals away.
Placer County Animal Services is also at the scene, and one of its vehicles has at least five of the pigs that ran loose loaded onboard.
While traffic is being diverted to help traffic flow, motorists should consider alternate routes while crews are still clearing up the scene. There is no estimated time of reopening.
The driver was sent to the hospital, but CHP said it does not appear that the driver suffered major injuries.
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