Semi Loses Load, Causing Egg-Spensive Crash on Oklahoma Turnpike

A semi-truck carrying eggs was part of a multi-vehicle crash on the Will Rogers Turnpike, close to the Oklahoma-Missouri border, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported. Troopers said only minor injuries resulted from the accident, but because eggs are so expensive right now, losing the truck's cargo was a big deal.

'Expensive Cargo'

The Highway Patrol reported the icy crash on its Facebook page: "This crash happened on the Will Rogers Turnpike. Fortunately, there were only minor injuries. But the semi was hauling eggs! Expensive cargo right now." The post had seven photos showing what looked like a crash between two semis, with boxes of eggs spilled out of the trailer. Broken eggs were visible in several of the photos.

Cost of Eggs

A recent report on the consumer price index showed that the average price of a dozen Grade A eggs is about $4.95. This price has more than doubled over the past year and a half. Now that the cost of eggs has risen sharply, the thought of thousands of eggs lost in a semi accident is even harder to take.

Social Media Reaction

By the afternoon of Feb. 20, around 7,700 people had reacted to the Facebook post with emojis, 9,000 had shared the post, and about 1,900 had commented. About 75% of the comments focused on the frustration of expensive eggs lost and how the crash could make prices go even higher. Some people made funny egg puns, and a few expressed concern for the people involved in the crash. Many comments mixed these reactions, but most people were mostly worried about the loss of eggs and how it might affect their wallets.

Winter Storm to Blame

A developing nor'easter brought mid-February winter weather to the Plains. In the Oklahoma City metro area, people were expecting less than a tenth of an inch of ice. However, areas to the northeast of the city were getting ready for much worse conditions, with forecasts predicting over six inches of ice and snow. Strong winds and cold air made conditions even worse, creating near-blizzard conditions in some areas. In Oklahoma City, police warned drivers to stay off the roads on social media posts. Wind chills were expected to drop well below zero all week, making it dangerously cold outside.

The crash involving the semi-truck carrying eggs in Oklahoma highlights how unexpected accidents can affect more than just traffic. With the cost of eggs already high, the loss of such a large amount of eggs has created more concern about prices going up even more. While most of the damage was to the cargo, the incident has sparked conversations about the challenges people are facing with rising food costs.

References: Eggs Spilled on Oklahoma Turnpike After Crash as Winter Storm Buries Highways in Snow | Eggs Bring More Attention to Semi Wreck in Oklahoma