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More than 140 pigs carried on overturned tractor-trailer during crash in Suffolk, delivered to Smithfield

13News Now records show Monday's crash marks the seventh crash in Suffolk involving a Smithfield Foods truck hauling pigs since 2008.

SUFFOLK, Va. — A Smithfield Foods spokesperson said 143 pigs were delivered after a company tractor-trailer that was hauling the hogs crashed Monday morning.

The crash happened around 2 a.m. in the 4100 block of Godwin Boulevard. Twelve out of the 167 pigs that were on the truck, died there. 

Additionally, there were twelve other pigs that were properly euthanized at the scene of the crash, as part of the company's protocol, the spokesperson said.

A tractor-trailer overturned on the road, causing a major part of the road to close. It has since reopened. 

According to 13News Now records, this is not the first time an incident like this occurred along Godwin Boulevard with a Smithfield Foods truck hauling pigs. 

At least seven similar crashes date back to 2008, including two in 2020. The last crash happened November of 2020.

Business owners and workers told 13News Now that seeing this happen so often along Godwin Boulevard was both confusing and frustrating. 

Amanda McClaire who manages the Oliver's Pools store said her business was blocked off during the November 2020 crash.

"It cut off a large portion of the road. It made it [inaccessible] to come in here, even for our spa owners that do come in the winter," said McClaire. "The amount of time that it takes up when it shuts it down. That's a huge impact to everybody in this area."

The truck was carrying 167 pigs at the time of the crash. Smithfield Foods sent a response team to the scene to assist with operations. 

Officials said the driver's injuries were minor, and that the driver of the truck was cited for failing to maintain proper control. 

13News Now reached out to Smithfield Foods to question the pattern, but we have yet to get a response. 

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Appropriate authorities remained at the scene for the duration of the incident

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