Beekeeper estimates $50,000 in damages following crash in Baldwin

Jacksonville, Fl — A truck hauling approximately one million bees was hit early this morning by a semi tractor-trailer in Baldwin, sending thousands of bees free.

Florida Highway Patrol says the crash happened at 3:15 am on U.S. 301 and the ramp to I-10.

The bee keeper was on scene recovering the bees, according to FHP.

“The public is advised to use caution in the area as the bee’s continue to disseminate.”, FHP said in a crash report.

Neither driver was injured.

Trent Padgett, owner of Jesup Bee Company, estimates the company lost upwards at least $50,000 as a result of the crash and the lost bees.

“The equipment we lost, the truck is damaged. Trying to regroup from that. And then from the bees themselves we have the immediately loss of what was a total loss of the bees and then what’s remaining. It will not produce as much honey.”, said Padgett.

He says the damage will set the colonies back due to the result of the death of some queen bees.

“Bees can recover as long as they have a queen they’ll rebuilt over time. But the problem is the immediate loss and that it takes time to rebuild.”, Padgett said.