Truck driver and one other injured in 11 car pileup.

• twenty-five people injured in 11 car pileup
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Live poultry on the road after 11 car pile up.

 

 

     Twenty-five people were injured due to an 11 car pileup caused by the driver of a semi-truck that was carrying chickens, at the corner of McFarland Boulevard and 15th Tuesday evening.
    
     While driving to one of the company’s new farms near Gadsden around 6 p.m., the semi-truck made an illegal left hand turn. Sergeant John Jones reported that the chicken truck driver, who got hurt, was a 45-year-old man from Alberta City named Jeff Johnson. He was transported to DCH by ambulance because he had bruises and a possible broken ankle.

     There were as many as 300 chickens in the truck at the time of the accident. The truck turned on it’s side while making a sharp turn, killing at least 30 and trapping others in the vehicle until firemen arrived. As many as 40 chickens still remain at large. 

     The animals are property of the chicken company, Alabama Poultry Incorporated, and should be returned if found. The chicken company president Carlton Fitzsimmons reports the dead and missing chickens are worth over $700. Each chicken was insured for $10.

     Sarah Bernell, a 63-year-old retired local kindergarten teacher was also injured and taken to the hospital. Her nephew, Mike Kenyon, was driving the car. Clarence DiMotta, the hospital spokesperson, reports that Bernell has a slight concussion, and is in good condition.

     The only other injuries to the 23 other cars were bruises. The damages to the cars involved were minor.

     “It was the biggest pile-up I’ve ever seen. Lots and lots of smashed bumpers but the worst part was the screams of the chickens. Those things make a lot of noise, you know,” said Jones.