Inverted Pyramid Story Parker

Brittany Parker Inverted Pyramid Story Jody Strauch 2/16/12

A pileup at the corner of Highway 71 Bypass and First Street occurred this morning around 8 a.m. Involved were 11 cars, 25 people injured and 300 chickens.

A semi-truck driver from Bedford, Iowa, Jeff Johnson, 45, was hurt in the accident. He had bruises and a possible broken ankle. A retired local kindergarten teacher Sarah Bernell, 69, was also hurt with a slight concussion. Both were taken to St. Francis Hospital and both are in good condition. The other 23 people involved were bruised but not admitted to the hospital.

Sergeant John Jones said a semi-truck carrying chickens made an illegal left turn causing the accident. The truck turned on its side while making a sharp turn. Damage to the 11 cars in the accident was 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,” Jones said. “Those things sure do make a lot of noise, you know.”

The animals are the property of Missouri Poultry, Inc. The company’s chickens supply eggs to Hy-Vee stores across Missouri and Iowa. The chickens were on the way to one of the company’s new farms near Albany. Chicken company president Carlton Fitzsimmons reports the 30 dead and 40 missing chickens are worth over $700.