Truck carrying 1 million bees crashes on interstate highway

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT/Gray News) - A truck carrying 1 million bees crashed in Tennessee, unleashing a massive swarm that closed a part of the interstate.

The truck crashed on Interstate 40 in Knoxville on Friday morning, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).

“A truck carrying a load of bees crashed, and now the bees have escaped and are swarming the area,” Mark Nagi, a regional communications officer for TDOT, said.

Nagi confirmed that the truck was carrying 1 million bees.

TDOT reported that the ramp from I-40 east to Henley Street was closed as crews worked to corral the swarm. Photos from the scene show crew members in apparent beekeeping suits hosing down the truck.

Nagi said that the truck had to be unloaded and moved before crews could contain the swarm.

“Gets the bees away from traffic,” he wrote on X.

As of Friday afternoon, the bees have been removed from the area.