Driver cited after Delaware highway crash, bee swarm

5/21/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bees swarm after being released from a tractor-trailer that overturned carrying them near Newark, Del., Tuesday. Sgt. Paul Shavack said the driver and a passenger were taken to Christiana Hospital with minor injuries.
Bees swarm after being released from a tractor-trailer that overturned carrying them near Newark, Del., Tuesday. Sgt. Paul Shavack said the driver and a passenger were taken to Christiana Hospital with minor injuries.

NEWARK, Del. — Delaware transportation officials are warning motorists to keep windows closed and avoid unnecessary stops because of honeybee swarms near a highway ramp where a tractor trailer carrying hives overturned.

The ramp to Interstate 95 in Newark reopened today, more than 12 hours after the rig carrying an estimated 16 million to 20 million bees from Florida to Maine crashed Tuesday. Police cited the driver, 55-year-old Adolfo Guerra of Miami, for unsafe shifting of load or cargo.

Police say Guerra and two passengers were taken to Christiana Hospital with minor injuries from the crash and 50 to 100 stings each. There were reports of passers-by being stung.

State police say bee handlers worked with firefighters to spray water to disperse the bees as authorities used a swarm removal plan.