27 tons of chicken manure spilled across Washington state highway

Truck spills 27 tons of chicken manure onto State Route 14 on Wednesday morning. (Photo: WSDOT via KPTV/Portland)



WISHRAM, Wash. -- A tractor-trailer speeding around a corner on State Route 14 in Klickitat County overturned and spilled 27 tons of chicken manure across the highway Wednesday morning, the Washington State Patrol said.

KPTV in Portland said the crash happened at 10:39 a.m. Wednesday between Highway 197 and Highway 97 near Wishram.

The State Patrol said the driver, 35-year-old Hugo Garibay del Toro of Grandview, Washington, was speeding around a corner and lost control of the truck.

Both directions were blocked and traffic was detoured to Interstate 84 in Oregon.

Crews worked through the day to haul the manure off the highway and get the semi upright.

KPTV said that once the highway was clear, workers realized manure had become embedded in the asphalt. WSDOT maintenance crews poured sand onto the highway to provide traction for drivers.

The highway reopened hours later, but drivers were advised to use caution through the area and expect delays.