Watch CBS News

Ach-oops! Sneeze causes highway corn syrup spill

WASHINGTON, Penn. -- State police in Pennsylvania say a truck driver apparently blacked out after sneezing, causing his vehicle to overturn, spilling corn syrup and snarling traffic.


Troopers say the trucker lost control of the rig about 2 p.m. Thursday on Interstate 70 near Washington, Pa. The tanker truck went off the road, hit an embankment, rolled onto its side and slid, blocking both eastbound lanes.

Crews collected several hundred gallons of corn syrup in metal drums and put down anti-skid material to soak up what was left. Eastbound I-70 traffic backed up about 13 miles. 

Interstate 79, which has an interchange near the site, had a southbound traffic backup of about 8 miles.

The driver, 52-year-old Billie Setser, of Carrollton, Ohio, was hurt, but police didn't release details.
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.