Godwin Boulevard in Suffolk reopened after hog truck crash

SUFFOLK 

A truck hauling almost 200 hogs overturned on Godwin Boulevard this morning, killing some of the animals and closing the road for about six hours.

The crash happened just before 9 a.m. on Godwin Boulevard at Kingsdale Road, according to city spokeswoman Debbie George, when the truck swerved to avoid a car stopped in the roadway waiting to make a turn. The truck hit a power pole and overturned, George said.

Five hogs escaped from the truck and several more were killed, but George did not have an exact number. A recovery team including a veterinarian worked throughout the day to transfer the animals to other trucks. The Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department sprayed the animals with water to keep them cool, George said. All the animals were eventually recovered, George said.

The driver of the truck, who was not hurt, was identified as James E. Carter of Warsaw, N.C. He is charged with reckless driving and failure to maintain control. 

The road reopened about 4 p.m. today.