Bee sting causes rollover

Ritzville Fire and Ambulance responded to a semi truck rollover accident on southbound US 395 on Sept. 12 around 5:30 p.m. The driver of the semi truck, 73-year-old Gene Nelson, attempted to pull over after being stung by a bee.

Nelson, a resident of Hawley, Minn., tried to exit the roadway but drove behind the guardrail, rolling the vehicle into a ravine. Nelson was not wearing a restraint at the time of the accident.

He was transported by ambulance to East Adams Rural Hospital. The 1996 Kenworth Semi was totaled in the accident and disposed of by Adams Towing.

The truck had been hauling frozen turkeys when the accident occurred. Charges were not filed against Nelson and the cause of the rollover is due to a bee sting reaction.