40,000 pounds of chicken feathers spill onto I-5 -- wreaking havoc on morning commute





FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -- A semi driver rolled his vehicle over on northbound Interstate 5 in Federal Way dumping about 40,000 pounds of chicken feathers across the freeway.

All lanes were blocked at one point Wednesday morning as crews worked to clean up the fowl mess -- causing delays for driver heading both directions.



According to Washington State Patrol, the crash happened around 3:30 a.m. on I-5 just south of S. 320th St.

The driver told investigators and Q13 News that he fell asleep and lost control of the truck, which hit a guardrail and overturned.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash and the driver was not hurt. Trooper Rick Johnson said the driver would be cited for negligent driving.



The truck was hauling the feathers from a Foster Farms poultry facility to West Coast Reduction, a rendering company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The company's website says it recycles animal byproducts into ingredients for many items, including pet feed and soap.

Q13 News traffic expert Adam Gehrke advised drivers of the best alternatives -- including the Valley Freeway, SR 509 and SR 99.


    "It will be important to plan for LONG delays to last most of the morning. Three lanes are open now, but travel times on NB I-5 and alternate routes are running very high," transportation officials said.

    Shortly after the crash was cleared, a semi stalled blocking two lanes -- causing even more delays.



    Just how many feathers is that?