By GARETT VALCOURT
On the evening of October 5, emergency responders from Ponce De Leon and Bonifay
were dispatched to a traffic accident on Interstate 10 near mile marker 99. Initial reports
indicated that a flatbed trailer had flipped on its side while traveling westbound.
However, upon arriving at the scene, responders faced an unexpected complication.
According to Chief Doug Remmel of the Ponce De Leon Volunteer Fire Department, a
semi-truck had collided with a pickup truck towing the flatbed trailer. The trailer and
pickup had overturned. As responders surveyed the scene, they observed debris
scattered across the road and noticed an unusual sound—buzzing. It was soon
discovered that the flatbed trailer had been carrying a large number of bee hives, and
the collision had caused the bees to be released.
Chief Remmel stated that the pickup truck, carrying the hives, had experienced a blown
tire, leading to a loss of control and the subsequent collision with the semi-truck. The
bees, disoriented by the accident, began swarming the area, adding complexity to the
rescue efforts.
Staff Report 