Chicken Truck Causes Pile-Up

Chicken Truck Causes Pile-up

Around six o'clock yesterday evening, on McFarland Blvd. There was an eleven car pile-up. From the pile-up 25 people were injured. The pile-up took place on the corner of McFarland and 15th street. Eleven cars were involved as stated by the Police. Sergeant John Jones was able to explain what cased the pile-up. He said that a semi-truck carrying chickens, which were laying hens, made an illegal left hand turn causing the accident. The semi-trucks name is 45 year old Jeff Johnson. Mr. Johnson was hurt in the accident. An ambulance transported him to DCH. He was said to have bruises and a possible broken ankle. Johnson is from Alberta City, where he lives with his wife and three children. This information was given by Sergeant Jones.

It's also a possibility, police said, that as many as 300 chickens were also hurt. The truck apparently turned on its side making a sharp turn. At least 30 of chicken are dead. Many others were trapped in the vehicle until firemen arrived; as many as 40 remain at large.

Sergeant Jones also said the Sarah Bernall who was a victim of the pile-up was hurt. She is a 63 year old, retired local kindergarten teacher. Miss Bernell was riding in a car driven by her nephew, Mike Kenyon. She was taken to the hospital to make sure everything is alright.

Alabama Poultry Inc. is the company that as property of the chickens. Jones stressed that if any chickens are found that they should be returned to Alabama Poultry Inc. The company president Carlton Fitzsimmons reports that the dead and missing chickens are worth over 700 dollars. Each chicken is insured for 10 dollars. His company's chickens supply eggs to IGA stores across the south. The farm for the chickens holds 20,000.

Clarence DiMotta, the hospital spokesperson, reports Johnson is in good condition. Also the teacher, Miss Bernell, has a slight concussion, but is in good condition.

Jones says, "It was the biggest pile-up I've seen. Lots and lots of smashed bumpers but the worst part was the screams of the chickens. Those things sure do make a lotta noise, you know." The chickens were on their way to one of the company's new farms near Gadsden. Several smashed eggs were also found in the wreckage of the truck. "It was so hot out there I thought we might have fried eggs for dinner," Jones stated.