Every driver has had a bad commute. Maybe traffic was backed up for miles, maybe someone cut you off, or maybe you just spilled coffee on your shirt at a red light. None of that compares to what drivers on Highway 62 in Minneapolis dealt with this past Thursday morning.
Just before 8 a.m., liquid manure covered both lanes of the busy highway, and we’re not talking about a light dusting. Minnesota State Patrol troopers said the mess was “inches deep” across the roadway, turning a normal rush hour into something closer to a farm chore gone wrong.
As if the smell alone wasn’t enough of a problem, the slick surface caused real trouble for vehicles trying to navigate through it, reported CBS News. Distracted drivers, understandably rattled by the scene unfolding in front of them, ended up causing a chain-reaction crash while cleanup crews worked to clear the road. It’s the kind of story that sounds made up until you remember Minnesota has plenty of farmland not far from its cities, and things occasionally fall off trucks that really shouldn’t.
By the time crews finished clearing the highway, both lanes were back open and traffic returned to normal. But the story didn’t end when the road did, because at least one driver is still dealing with the aftermath in a much more personal way.
The Spill Left More Than Just a Mess Behind
One driver caught in the middle of it, Kristina Proffitt, told local news she watched a couple of cars ahead of her slide off the road and onto the shoulder as they tried to react to the spill.
She managed to stay on the freeway herself, but the smell stuck with her long after she’d cleared the area, apparently for miles.
Five Car Washes Later, the Smell Won’t Quit
Here’s the part that’ll make any car enthusiast wince. Proffitt said she’s run her car through the car wash five separate times and even left it parked outside overnight hoping fresh air would finish the job. No luck. The car still smells like a barn, which has to be one of the more unfortunate detailing challenges we’ve heard of.
If anyone’s got a home remedy that beats a five-wash deficit, now’s the time to speak up.
A Costly Mystery for Whoever Lost the Load
Troopers are still trying to figure out who was hauling the manure and where it came from. If they track down the responsible party, that driver could be facing a fine for the spill and the chaos it caused.
The highway itself is back to normal, but Proffitt says she may end up selling her car over it. It’s a reminder that sometimes the road can throw something at you that no amount of horsepower, all-wheel drive, or defensive driving can really prepare you for.