Truck accident results in bee stings, closure

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – An accident involving a truck loaded with honey bees temporarily forced the closure of a highway in central Wyoming on Monday.

Wyoming Highway 220 southwest of Casper was closed in both directions from midmorning Monday until shortly after 2 p.m.

The accident occurred when a westbound pickup truck drifted across the centerline and sideswiped an eastbound semitrailer hauling hundreds of hives of bees, Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Marshall Wyatt said.

Between 150 to 200 hives broke open and spread along about 400 feet of highway, Wyatt said. A few people were stung. The pickup driver was treated and released from a hospital.

Workers wearing protective suits piled the hives on the side of the road and burned them.