North Dakota Highway Patrol reveals truck driver involved in accident stung by hundreds of bees

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (KVRR) – On Thursday, a semi hauling approximately 800 hives with an estimated two million bees crashed on Interstate 94 in Valley City.

North Dakota Highway Patrol says the crash happened when a pickup driven by a 15-year-old Valley City boy merged onto the Interstate and abruptly moved into the left lane without seeing the semi.

The semi driver tried to avoid a crash by swerving left. The semi went into the median. The driver tried to bring the truck back onto the interstate, where it tipped, blocking the passing lane.

The boy was not hurt, but the 55-year-old Florida man driving the truck was stung hundreds of times after getting himself out of the cab. He ran to the Sheyenne River to escape the bees.

Barnes County ambulance emergency personnel took him to Mercy Hospital in Fargo. Multiple agencies and beekeepers responded to clean the scene. The lane was closed for about 8 hours.

The Highway Patrol says charges against the 15-year-old are under investigation.