1 million bees make for bumper-to-buzzer traffic on a Tennessee highway ramp
In this photo provided by the Tennessee Department of Transportation, beekeepers work to contain a swarm of bees that escaped from a crashed truck on Interstate 40 in Knoxville, Tenn., on Friday, April 17, 2026. Credit: AP/Uncredited
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Travelers on an East Tennessee interstate were forced to brake for workers — and drones, perhaps even a queen — when a truck carrying about 1 million bees crashed Friday.
The swarm shut down an exit of Interstate 40 in Knoxville, said Mark Nagi, Tennessee Department of Transportation regional spokesperson. There were no injuries, he said.
“The ramp from I-40 East to Henley Street is back open but the truck is destroyed and the bees are… well… buzzing," Nagi posted, along with a photo of a person in beekeeper garb. "Unless you are dressed in this outfit please stay in your vehicles in this area.”
Later Friday, Nagi confirmed that all of the bees had been moved from the area and the truck was removed.
What could not be as easily quelled were the puns.
“So, this is the buzz around town?" U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett wrote on social media. "This stuff just writes itself.”
The Virginia Department of Transportation commiserated on social media. Its northern division reminisced about a 2018 crash that similarly released a swarm of bees on Interstate 495, prompting the advice, “Please roll up your windows.”
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 30: Baseball, All-Long Island and Plays of the Week! On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg stops by Kings Park to check out their pitching staff and Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 30: Baseball, All-Long Island and Plays of the Week! On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg stops by Kings Park to check out their pitching staff and Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week.
