Load of Eggs Scrambled as Truck Tips Over on Freeway

An 18-wheel truck hauling 21,000 cases of eggs rolled onto its side Sunday near downtown Los Angeles, partially shutting down the northbound Golden State Freeway for more than six hours while authorities helped clean up the gooey mess, the California Highway Patrol said.

The truck, which flipped over about 6:45 a.m. near North Mission Road, had to be unloaded before it could be towed, said Sgt. Chuck Cooper. About 100 large cases containing several thousand eggs were smashed.

“About five gallons of yolk spilled on the road,” Cooper said. “The rest of the yolk was contained in the truck.”

At least two lanes remained shut until about 1:30 p.m. while state transportation workers used sand to soak up the yoke, Cooper said. The driver, Jesse Chastain, 38, of Kansas City, Mo., was treated for minor injuries and released, Cooper said.

The accident happened because Chastain “was driving too fast and lost control,” Cooper said. The truck, owned by Vaugan Bros. of Knob Noster, Mo., was en route to deliver eggs to the Trafficanda Egg Ranch in Canoga Park.