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Va. sheriff’s office: ‘Crab-tastrophe’ temporarily shuts down highway after crustaceans scattered on roadway

Images shared by the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office show a van on its side with crabs crawling around its ajar doors, the pavement and the wooden barrels inside

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New Kent County Sheriff’s Office

By John Buzbee
The Virginian-Pilot

NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. — A vehicle crash involving a van hauling barrels of blue crabs temporarily closed Interstate 64 early Thursday morning after the crustaceans were scattered all over the roadway, the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office said.

Images shared by deputies at around 2:38 a.m. show a van on its side with crabs crawling around its ajar doors, the pavement and the wooden barrels inside which had been knocked around. As a result of the crash, Westbound Interstate 64 near route 249 was closed for about an hour. Drivers were advised at the time to avoid the scene.

A Virginia State Police spokesperson said later on Thursday there were no reported injuries to one vehicle that crashed. He said there appeared to be no or limited injures to the crabs, as far as officials could tell.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash.

The sheriff’s office said on social media “Crab-tastrophe averted!” when the interstate was reopened.

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